NORTHERN IRELAND

Fair Trade

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether fair trade products are sold in his Department.

John Reid: No fair trade products are sold in the Northern Ireland Office.

Community Integration

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures the Government have taken in Northern Ireland to assist in the integration of the Catholic and Protestant communities.

Des Browne: Section 75(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 states that
	" . . . a public authority shall, in carrying out its functions relating to Northern Ireland, have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group."
	As an example of this the Government are committed to the implementation of the Patten recommendations, which are designed to make the police service more widely accepted throughout the community and more representative of the whole community.
	A cross-community Policing Board has been established; recruitment to the new Police Service of Northern Ireland is now taking place on the basis of 50 per cent. Catholic and 50 per cent. non-Catholic. A new badge for the police service has been agreed, containing symbols which show parity of esteem for both sides of the community.

Press and Public Relations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were employed in a press or public relations function in his Department on 1 January in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000, (e) 2001 and (f) 2002.

John Reid: Information is not held in the format requested.
	The number of people employed in the Information Service Division of the Northern Ireland Office between 1997 and 2002 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1 April 1997 37 
			 1 April 1998 40 
			 1 April 1999 52 
			 1 April 2000 52 
			 1 April 2001 36 
			 1 January 2002 35

VIP Police Protection

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland receive VIP police protection; how many officers are involved in providing this service; and what the annual cost of providing this service is.

Jane Kennedy: The Chief Constable has advised me that 91 persons receive some level of police protection. This involves approximately 400 police officers whose duties range from escorting, close protection, to static security at private homes.
	The annual cost of providing this level of protection is approximately £21 million. This figure comprises basic police pay and allowances, overtime and vehicle costs as applicable.

Decommissioning

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent progress has been made towards decommissioning.

Jane Kennedy: IICD reported, on 23 October 2001, that it had witnessed an event, which it regarded as significant, in which the IRA had put a quantity of arms completely beyond use. It also confirmed that the weapons decommissioned included arms, ammunition and explosives.
	We now want to see further decommissioning by the IRA, and decommissioning by all other terrorist groups.

Northern Ireland Prison Service

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the NI Prison Service will publish its 2002–05 Corporate and Business Plan; and what performance targets have been set for 2002–03.

Jane Kennedy: The Northern Ireland Prison Service's Corporate and Business Plan for 2002–05 was published today and I have placed copies in the Library of the House. The following key performance targets have been set for the 2002–03 year:
	1. 100 per cent. security for top and high risk prisoners.
	2. 99.7 per cent. security for medium and low-risk prisoners.
	3. The number of staff assaulted by prisoners is less than a ratio of six per 100 prisoners.
	4. The number of prisoners assaulted by prisoners is less than a ratio of 8.8 per 100 prisoners.
	5. An average of at least 18 hours constructive activity per week for each sentenced prisoner.
	6. An average of at least 9.5 hours constructive activity per week for each remand prisoner.
	7. To ensure an average minimum of 70 per cent. of prisoners serving six months or more, including 90 per cent. of life sentence prisoners, is working to a sentence plan.
	8. Deliver at least 85 per cent. of the planned training days associated with the agreed corporate training priorities.
	9. Achieve an average minimum of five days development and training per member of staff.
	10. Expenditure is within the budget allocated.
	11. Lay the Annual Report and Audited Accounts before Parliament prior to the summer recess.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for the five largest PFI contracts let by her Department in each of the last four years; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 29 January 2002, Official Report, column 224W.

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for PPP contracts let by her Department in each of the last four years; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: DFID has not offered any public-private partnerships in the last four years. The public-private partnership for CDC has not yet been launched or bids invited.

Unpaid Advisers

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the names of the unpaid advisers appointed by her since she took office, stating in each case (a) the date of their appointment, (b) the duration of their appointment and (c) the project or projects on which they have been engaged.

Clare Short: No unpaid advisers have been appointed by me since taking office.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Non-governmental Organisations

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will list non-governmental organisations operating in the south-west region that receive public funds from her Department; and what amount of annual funding they received in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 4 March 2002
	The Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, and the Departments for which the Attorney-General is responsible, namely, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office, do not provide funding for non-governmental organisations in the south-west region.

Flexible Working

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General how many and what proportion of the staff of her Department are (a) job sharing, (b) term working and (c) engaged in another form of flexible working.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 14 March 2002
	In my own Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, there is currently no job sharing, term working or staff engaged in any other form of flexible working.
	In the Departments for which the Attorney-General is responsible, details are as follows:
	Crown Prosecution Service
	The numbers and proportion of Crown Prosecution staff currently engaged in job sharing, term working and other forms of flexible working are as follows:
	Job sharing—14 staff (0.2 per cent.)
	Term working—24 staff (0.4 per cent.)
	Part-time—1,292 staff (20 per cent.).
	The Crown Prosecution Service recognises the need for all staff, particularly those with care responsibilities, to try to find the right balance between work and domestic commitments.
	Job sharing and term time working are just a couple of the alternative and flexible working patterns that employees are welcome to take up.
	The Department operates a flexible working hours scheme that is open to both full and part-time members of staff. The scheme allows staff to vary their times of arrival and departure, subject to management needs.
	The Department also considers applications for term time working by members of staff. In addition, although not recorded as term time working, the Department considers sympathetically any requests for unpaid special leave and/or change in working pattern during school holidays.
	In addition to part-time working, job sharing and term time working, the Department will shortly be issuing policies on working compressed hours and home working. Although these policies have yet to be formally promulgated, a number of staff already practise these forms of flexible working.
	When advertising vacancies, Crown Prosecution Service area branches are encouraged to welcome applications from people working different patterns. However, there are some instances where this is not possible due to the nature of the work.
	Treasury Solicitor's Department
	The numbers and proportion of Treasury Solicitor's Department staff currently engaged in job sharing, term working and other forms of flexible working are as follows:
	Job sharing—2 staff (0.4 per cent.)
	Term working—1 person (0.2 per cent.)
	Part-time—37 staff (7 per cent.)
	Flexi-timers—46 staff (8.8 per cent.).
	The Treasury Solicitor's Department recognises the need for all staff, particularly those with care responsibilities, to try to find the right balance between work and domestic commitments.
	Serious Fraud Office
	The Serious Fraud Office does not currently have any staff working on a job share or term basis, although these options are available. However, the Department currently has four members of staff working compressed hours (ie five days in four, or ten days in nine). Three of the Department's members of staff work part-time and six work on a part home/part office basis. The Serious Fraud Office also operates a flexi-time system which enables the majority of staff to structure their working day to suit their own circumstances.
	The Serious Fraud Office recognises the need for all staff, particularly those with care responsibilities, to try to find the right balance between work and domestic commitments.

Accommodation Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will list for 1997–98 and each subsequent financial year the amount spent by (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies in respect of hotel and other similar privately-provided accommodation (i) in the UK and (ii) abroad for (A) Ministers, (B) staff and (C) other persons; if she will list the proportion of this cost incurred in respect of (x) food and (y) alcohol in each case; and if she will list the average cost per hotel room or similar unit of accommodation provided in each case.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 11 February 2002
	In my own Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, the following sums were spent on hotels and other similar privately provided accommodation in 1997–98 and subsequent financial years.
	Subsistence UK
	£11,791 in 1997–98—of which sum £9,192 arose from the additional costs created by the review of the CPS carried out by Sir Iain Glidewell.
	£3,641 in 1998–99
	£2,843.04 in 1999–2000
	£5,107 in 2000–01
	£3,975.63 in 2001/02.
	Subsistence abroad
	£1,043.82 in 1997–98
	£610.32 in 1998–99
	£2,037.55 in 1999–2000
	£996.62 in 2000–01
	£260.80 in 2001–02.
	The accounting system used by the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers does not divide these costs to show the amounts spent on hotels, food and alcohol. It would not be possible to provide details on the cost of hotels without incurring disproportionate cost.
	Crown Prosecution Service
	In the financial year 1997–98 and each subsequent financial year the Crown Prosecution Service has spent the following amounts on hotels and other similar privately provided accommodation:
	£261,000 in 1997–98
	£290,000 in 1998–99
	£395,000 in 1999–2000
	£623,000 in 2000–01.
	This expenditure relates only to CPS staff.
	The CPS also reimburses prosecution witnesses who have to stay overnight in order to give evidence at court. The rates applied to such reimbursement are the same as the rates applied to staff expenditure. Expenditure since 1997–98 has been as follows:
	£294,000 in 1997–98
	£344,000 in 1998–99
	£324,000 in 1999–2000
	£354,000 in 2000–01.
	The Department does not maintain separate records for expenses incurred in the UK and abroad. It would not be possible to identify the cost of food without incurring disproportionate cost. Staff may claim a meal and incidental travel cost allowance of £25 and a personal incidental expenditure allowance of £5 per night, while away from home on official business.
	The Department does not pay for alcohol for members of staff who travel on official business.
	It is not possible to list the average cost per hotel room. From November 1999 new maximum rates were applied to the cost of bed and breakfast of up to £95 per night in London and other metropolitan areas and £65 per night elsewhere.
	The marked increase in staff expenditure in 2000–01 compared with the previous years was a result of the aftermath of the Hatfield rail crash and the consequent disruption to public transport. Because of the extended journey times, particularly between the two headquarters' sites in London and York, officers were required to stay overnight more frequently.
	Treasury Solicitor's Department
	The total amounts spent on both travel and subsistence by the Treasury Solicitor's Department, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (since April 2001) and the Government Property Lawyers' Agency in the last four years were as follows:
	Treasury Solicitor's Department
	£308,000 in 1997–98
	£327,000 in 1998–99
	£202,000 in 1999–2000
	£396,000 in 2000–01
	£318,000 in 2001–02 (to 31 December)
	Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
	£130,000 in 2001–02 (to 31 December)
	Government Property Lawyers' Agency
	£13,000 in 1997–98
	£10,000 in 1998–99
	£37,000 in 1999–2000
	£1,000 in 2000–01
	None in 2001–02.
	The contract management and financial analysis systems currently in place at the Treasury Solicitor's Department mean that the Department could not provide the detailed information requested without incurring disproportionate cost. These systems are being upgraded as part of the improvement in financial management on which the Department has embarked. Most of the improvements should be concluded in the course of the financial year 2002–03.
	Serious Fraud Office
	In the financial year 1997–98 and each subsequent financial year the Serious Fraud Office has spent the following amounts on hotel and other similar privately provided accommodation:
	Staff UK
	£81,454.47 in 1997–98
	£72,168.63 in 1998–99
	£62,899.98 in 1999–2000
	£91,391.53 in 2000–01
	113,500.55 in 2001–02 (to date)
	Staff abroad
	£48,252.72 in 1997–98
	£20,459.23 in 1998–99
	£34,664.19 in 1999–2000
	£67,487.77 in 2000–01
	50,528.58 in 2001–02 (to date)
	Witnesses UK
	£21,607.48 in 1997–98
	£93,015.87 in 1998–99
	£11,880.96 in 1999–2000
	53,725.28 in 2000–01
	£5,879.36 in 2001–02 (to date).
	The Serious Fraud Office does not have either agencies or non-departmental public bodies and does not provide financial support to Ministers.
	The Department does not pay for alcohol for members of staff who travel on official business.
	Details of the breakdown between expenditure on food and accommodation and the average cost of such accommodation could not be made available without incurring disproportionate cost.

Appointments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will list the appointments she has made since 7 June 2001.

Harriet Harman: I have made no appointments as Solicitor-General during the period in question.

Stolen Equipment

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Solicitor-General, pursuant to her answer of 23 January 2002, Official Report, column 878W, on stolen equipment, what criminal proceedings have been undertaken for cases of theft against her Department, stating in each case (a) whether the proceedings (i) led to a criminal conviction and (ii) were unsuccessful, (b) the cost incurred by her Department in pursuing a conviction and (c) the value of items recovered; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 18 March 2002
	In relation to my own Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, I am not aware of any equipment having been stolen from the Department since 1 May 1997.
	In the Departments for which the Attorney General is responsible, details are as follows:
	Crown Prosecution Service Since May 1997 no criminal proceedings have been brought by the Crown Prosecution Service in connection with the stolen equipment listed in reply to Mr. Menzies Campbell's question. No items have been recovered.
	Treasury Solicitor's Department No criminal proceedings were undertaken in any of the cases of theft against the Department detailed in response to Mr. Menzies Campbell's question, and no items were recovered. Three of the thefts were reported to the police, and the remainder were investigated internally. The internal investigations did not identify any individuals against whom proceedings could be taken, and the stolen items could not be traced. Serious Fraud Office
	No criminal proceedings were undertaken in relation to any of the cases of theft against the Serious Fraud Office listed in response to Mr. Menzies Campbell's question, and no items were recovered.

Parental Leave Directive

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General what estimate she has made of the (a) financial costs and (b) benefits to her Department of the Parental Leave Directive.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 14 March 2002
	In my own Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers all staff are on secondment from other Departments. Matters relating to parental leave are dealt with by their parent Departments.
	In the Departments for the which the Attorney-General has responsibility, details are as follows.
	Crown Prosecution Service
	With effect from 1 April 1998, the Crown Prosecution Service's policy on special leave was amended to allow three months parental leave on the grounds of the birth or adoption of a child to all staff who have been employed by the Department for 12 months or longer. This entitlement is available for each child, and can be taken before the child's 8th birthday. In relation to adoption, the leave can ben taken up to eight years after the child is first placed with the family for adoption, or until the child's 18th birthday if that is sooner.
	In relation to a child with a disability, parental leave may be taken up to the child's 18th birthday.
	At present, the Department does not retain data relating specifically to parental leave and is therefore unable to quantify the financial costs of the Parental Leave Directive.
	It is known that during the period from 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001, 11 members of staff took paternity leave, which amounted to approximately 120 days absence. However, the grades of the staff taking paternity leave were not recorded and therefore the Department cannot give an estimated cost for that period.
	Treasury Solicitor's Department
	The Treasury Solicitor's Department estimate that there will not be a material financial cost to the Department as a result of the Parental Leave Directive. The cost to the Treasury Solicitor's Department since December 1999 has been £3,083.85.
	The benefits of parental leave to the Department have been to reinforce the Department's policy of assisting staff in maintaining a balance between work and home life.
	Serious Fraud Office
	The Serious Fraud Office has yet to receive an application for parental leave from any of its staff. However, the Department considers the financial implication of granting parental leave to be minimal, as the leave is unpaid.
	The Serious Fraud Office sees the benefits of parental leave as being (i) to offer staff more family friendly options and thus improve morale and motivation within the Department, (ii) to improve recruitment and retention, (iii) to promote Government policies and (iv) to comply with legislation.

Age Discrimination

John Bercow: To ask the Solicitor-General what her Department's policy is towards age discrimination.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 14 March 2002
	My own Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, is a small department of fewer than 35 staff. Staff are seconded to LSLO from other Government Departments and so the age range from which LSLO draws its staff depends upon the age policy of other Departments. Within that limitation, LSLO does not discriminate on grounds of age and there is no age bar in relation to recruitment. Currently the ages of staff at LSLO ranges from under 25 to over 60.
	In the Departments for which the Attorney-General is responsible, details are as follows:
	Crown Prosecution Service The Crown Prosecution Service is currently in the process of a complete review of Departmental policy on age, with a view to issuing revised policy later this year. The revised policy will take into account the current need for all employers to adopt a flexible approach to the recruitment and retention of older workers.
	Historically the CPS has welcomed all job applications regardless of age, but has maintained a less flexible policy on age retirement. Guidance issued by the Cabinet Office (based on the non-statutory Code of Practice published by the former DfEE) encouraged the review of current policies on recruitment, conditions of service based on age or length of service, and retirement. The CPS review aims to bring all age-related policies in line with the code of practice.
	Treasury Solicitor's Department The Treasury Solicitor's Department does not discriminate on grounds of age and there is no age bar in relation to recruitment.
	The minimum age at which staff can retire and receive an immediate pension payout is 60. The Treasury Solicitor's Department includes age equality in its diversity programme and allows staff to stay on at work to the age of 65, subject to satisfactory performance and the business needs of the agency.
	Serious Fraud Office There are no age restrictions placed upon applicants for Serious Fraud Office positions. However, applicants are asked to note that the Department's normal retirement age for staff at all grades is currently 60.

DEFENCE

Correspondence

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what was, for each year since 1995, the total number of (a) letters from hon. Members, (b) letters from members of the public and (c) parliamentary questions from (i) hon. Members and (ii) Lords dealt with by his Department; what percentage took (A) more than one month and (B) more than three months to provide a substantive answer; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what was, for each year since 1995, the average response time for providing a substantive answer to (a) hon. Members' correspondence, (b) correspondence from members of the public and (c) written parliamentary questions in the (i) Commons and (ii) Lords.

Lewis Moonie: The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	General information on the volumes of correspondence received across Whitehall and on overall performance is published by the Cabinet Office. Figures for 2000 were published on 6 April 2001, Official Report, columns 324–28W and on 19 July 2001, Official Report, columns 454–56W.
	The Ministry of Defence aims to answer all ordinary written parliamentary questions within five working days, and named day written parliamentary questions on the day named.

Staff Retirement

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff left the service of his Department and its agencies in the year ended 31 March 2001; how many left before attaining the formal retirement age of 60 years; and in respect of how many his Department and its agencies assumed responsibilities for making payments until retirement age.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 13 March 2002, Official Report, column 1071W.
	During the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001, 798 employees left the Ministry of Defence on grounds of either early retirement or early severance for which benefits were paid under the civil service compensation scheme.

Official Visits

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will list the official visits within the UK outside London made by each Minister in his Department in 2001, giving for each (a) the origin and destination and (b) the mode of travel used; and what guidance is provided to Ministers in his Department on choice of mode of travel for official visits;
	(2)  if he will list the official visits to (a) Paris and (b) Brussels made by each Minister in his Department in 2001 and the mode of travel used; and what guidance is provided to Ministers in his Department on the choice of mode of travel for such visits.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr. Leslie) on 6 March 2002, Official Report, column 421W.

International Security Assistance Force

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what programme he has made for identifying the successor lead nation for the international security assistance force for Kabul and its surrounding area under the terms of Annex 1 to the Bonn agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: We continue to negotiate with Turkey for the handover of the International Security Assistance Force lead nation.

Parental Leave Directive

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the (a) financial costs and (b) benefits to his Department of the Parental Leave Directive.

Lewis Moonie: It is the Ministry of Defence's policy to encourage civilian staff, at all levels, to take full advantage of family-friendly and work-life provisions such as the Parental Leave Directive. Records on the grant of special leave under the Parental Leave Directive are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, since this category of special leave is unpaid, then, administrative costs aside, there are no direct financial consequences to the MOD.

External Advisers

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much he has spent on external advisers in connection with the transfer of parts of DERA to the private sector.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 11 March 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 March 2002, Official Report, column 577W, to the hon. Member for North Thanet (Mr. Gale).

Celebrations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements his Department has made to celebrate (a) St. Patrick's Day, (b) St. George's Day, (c) St. Andrew's Day and (d) Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and how his Department celebrated St. David's Day.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 11 March 2002
	The Ministry of Defence does not make any formal arrangements for National Saints' Days except for the flying of flags from certain Government buildings where the facility to do so exists. On such occasions the Union flag is hoisted, and where there are two suitable masts the National flag may be flown together with the Union flag on buildings located in England, Scotland and Wales on the appropriate "named day". St. Patrick's Day is not a "named day". The armed forces have similar arrangements, though in addition certain units may unofficially acknowledge a particular Saint's Day for historical or traditional reasons.
	With regard to the arrangements for the Queen's Golden Jubilee I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport gave on 11 February 2002, Official Report, columns 58–59W, to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo).

Regulatory Impact Unit

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members his Department employs in its regulatory impact unit; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: As a non-regulatory Department, the Ministry of Defence does not have a dedicated regulatory impact unit. However, issues relating to regulatory impact are addressed by two civilian members of staff as part of their wider remit to assess the potential impacts of EU legislation on the MOD.

Defence Agency Staff (Scotland)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many people work for the Central Data Management Authority; how many are employed in Scotland; and what the personnel costs of the agency are;
	(2)  how many people work for the Central Data Management Authority; how many are employed in Scotland; and what the personnel costs of the agency are.

Lewis Moonie: The Central Data Management Authority is not an agency, but a branch within the Director General Information organisation, which is itself part of the Ministry of Defence headquarters.
	The CDMA branch has a complement of 14 staff.
	The annual personnel budget is £0.528 million (financial year 2002–03), calculated using current MOD capitation rates.
	None of the CDMA branch staff are employed in Scotland.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the public service agreement targets which have been revised and those which have been introduced since the publication of the 2001 departmental report.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence's service agreement remains as published in the 2000 Spending Review White Paper (Cm 4808, July 2000).

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which public service agreement targets scheduled to be met in 2002 will not be achieved by the due date.

Lewis Moonie: Information about progress on PSA targets was published in the Ministry of Defence Performance Report 2000–01 (Cm 5290, November 2001). A summary of progress made since then will be included in the Government's Expenditure Plans 2002–03 to 2003–04 for the MOD, due to be published in the spring.

Nuclear Tests

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimates he has made of the number of cancer cases caused by radioactivity released from nuclear bombs in testing in the 1950s and 1960s.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence has commissioned epidemiological studies into the health of those British personnel who participated in British atmospheric nuclear tests which took place in the 1950s and 1960s.
	The National Radiological Protection Board carries out studies into the exposure to radiation of the population of the United Kingdom as a whole, including fallout from weapons testing, and publishes reports on this subject. This does not include estimation of the rates of cancer that might arise.

Aviation Repairs

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the competition process for deep aviation repair work within his Department.

Adam Ingram: I am satisfied that our acquisition strategy for aviation repair work is coherent, provides best value for money for the British taxpayer and ensures fair treatment for all competitors in this field. I therefore have no plans at present to review the competition process.

Aviation Repairs

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  for what reason the Defence Aviation Repair Agency was not awarded the contract for Tornado rudder, air intake, windscreen and wing nibs under the Tornado Tiger Team;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the process by which BAE Systems was selected to undertake Tornado rudder, air intake, windscreen and wing nibs within the Tornado Tiger Team.

Adam Ingram: The intended support solution for the Tornado rudder, air intake, windscreen and wing nibs work, a prime contract with BAE Systems with the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) acting as repair sub-contractor, was developed by a joint team that included representation from the Defence Logistics Organisation, BAE Systems, HQ Strike Command and DARA. The process was fair and fully transparent to all those involved but in the event, DARA was unable to agree acceptable prices. The eventual prime contract, which was awarded to BAE Systems, represents best value-for-money and incentivises BAE Systems to manage sub-contract arrangements accordingly.

Defence Aviation Repair Agency

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the ability of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency to achieve its targets for the financial years (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03.

Adam Ingram: For 2001–02, end of year performance against the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) Key Targets will be independently audited and reported in the Agency Annual Report and Accounts. While DARA will continue to strive to meet its targets, at this stage it is too early to give an accurate forecast.
	For 2002–03 the Key Performance Indicators are still being developed, and will be announced in the House shortly.

Porton Down

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many films made by the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down had been transferred to the Imperial War Museum as of 14 February.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 May 2001, Official Report, column 196W. No further films have been transferred since that date.

Senior Armed Forces

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion (a) now, (b) five years ago and (c) 10 years ago of senior officers in each of the armed forces attended (i) independent and (ii) state schools; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

HMS Sheffield

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of keeping HMS Sheffield (a) in reserve and (b) in mothballs; when its Royal Navy service will end; how many personnel are involved in keeping it in service and at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The estimated costs of holding HMS Sheffield at extended readiness from November 2002 until September 2004 is £3.3 million. This figures includes £0.8 million for the costs of the 13 RN personnel directly involved in maintaining her in service. On current plans HMS Sheffield will be withdrawn from service towards the end of this decade.

Parliamentary Questions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many answers to parliamentary questions are more than (a) two weeks and (b) three months outstanding; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Approximately 3,200 parliamentary questions have been tabled to the Ministry of Defence during the current session. Ministers aim to answer ordinary written parliamentary questions within five working days and named day parliamentary questions on the day requested.

Fighter Jets

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Royal Air Force's total inventory is of (a) Harrier GR7s, (b) Tornado GR1s and (c) Jaguar GR1s; and how many of each are operationally available.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 15 March 2002
	On 13 March 2002 there were 74 Harrier GR7 aircraft in the departmental fleet (the total number of aircraft owned by the Ministry of Defence), of which 55 were assigned to the Actual Operating Fleet (the total number of aircraft allocated to meet the fleet task); 23 Tornado GR1 aircraft in the departmental fleet, of which 14 were assigned to the Actual Operating Fleet, and 51 Jaguar GR1 aircraft in the departmental fleet, of which none were assigned to the Actual Operating Fleet.

Overseas Territories/Sovereign Bases

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the military presence is on each (a) British Overseas Territory and (b) Sovereign Base; and what plans there are to change that presence in each case.

Adam Ingram: There is no permanent military presence on Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, St. Helena, Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, or the Turks and Caicos Islands.
	The military presence on the Falkland Islands comprises: Joint Headquarters and support elements; offshore patrol vessel; Roulement Infantry Company; one Tornado F3 flight; one VC10 tanker; one C-130 Hercules; Rapier Squadron; one helicopter squadron (Sea King and Chinook); air support services.
	The military presence on Gibraltar comprises: Joint Headquarters and support elements; two coastal patrol vessels; RAF Gibraltar; Royal Gibraltar Regiment.
	The British Indian Ocean Territory has a naval party of approximately 40 personnel. There are approximately 25 service personnel on Ascension Island, with support provided by a civilian Multi-Activity Contract. A small number of service personnel are on loan or secondment in Bermuda and British Antarctic Territory.
	The military presence on the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus comprises: Joint Headquarters; signals units and Cyprus Joint Support Unit; two Sovereign Base Area HQs; two Resident Infantry Battalions; one Engineer Squadron; one Gazelle helicopter Flight; Port and Maritime elements; RAF Regiment personnel; one Wessex Squadron; RAF Akrotiri.
	Helicopter operations on Cyprus will be transferred to a Commercially Owned, Military Registered arrangement next year.
	There are no current plans to make significant changes to the military presence in other areas, but all commitments are subject to periodic review to meet changing requirements.

Snagge Report

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 655W, on the Snagge report, if the report was produced using his Department's facilities; to whom it was submitted; when he took a decision on its publication; and if he will make a statement on his policy with regard to the publishing of unsolicited reports which he regards as (a) misleading and (b) accurate.

Adam Ingram: The report written by Colonel C. E. M. Snagge, although unsolicited from the then 2 Division based in York, was an official, internal document submitted to Headquarters Land Command. As such it was taken into account when the future location of the divisional headquarters was being considered. As I said in my answer on 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 655W, however, the report contained partial opinion. A balanced view, setting out the rationale for the decision, was set out in the Consultation Document "Land Command Restructuring of Divisions/Districts" which was issued to trade union representatives on 30 October 1998. A copy of this report will be placed in the Library of the House.
	Ministry of Defence policy on the release of information follows the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The decision to withhold Colonel Snagge's report was taken in accordance with Exemption 2 of the Code, which relates to internal discussion and advice, when I answered the hon. Member's question on 28 February 2002, Official Report, column 146W.

Irish Sea (Submarines)

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what investigations his Department has carried out following the two fishing boat accidents in the Irish Sea on 31 January and 14 February; what the result of those investigations has been; and what further action will be taken to ensure that action plans are in place in fishing ports to address similar accidents in the future;
	(2)  what investigations have been carried out into submarine activity in the Irish Sea, with particular reference to the area between St. John's Point at Killough, County Down and Dundalk, County Louth; and what the result of those investigations has been.

Adam Ingram: Royal naval submarines operating in waters frequented by UK fishing vessels are governed by a code of practice, mutually agreed by the Royal Navy and the UK fishing industry, which is designed to ensure the safety of fishing vessels. Additionally, it is mandatory for royal naval and allied submarines to report their position once a fishing vessel incident is reported. I can confirm that, following internal investigations, no submarines were operating in the vicinity of either of the two incidents referred to. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch have confirmed that they are satisfied with this conclusion.
	The Royal Navy will, in general, respond to such incidents if requests for assistance are received from the Coastguard or the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

Apache Helicopters

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the integration of the Hellfire missile on to the Army's Apache helicopters.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 19 March 2002
	Trials of the helicopter and its weapons systems are progressing satisfactorily. We expect the Hellfire missile to be integrated on the helicopter and cleared for training by the end of this year.

Development Expenditure

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the net book value of development expenditure at the end of each year in the period 1997–98 to 2002–03; and if he will show the development expenditure made in each year.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		£ billion 
		
			 Year Net book value of development expenditure(1) Development expenditure made this year 
		
		
			 1997–98 (2)— (2)— 
			 1998–99 (3)18.6 (2)— 
			 1999–2000 (3)19.3 (3)1.3 
			 2000–01 (3)19.9 (3)1.0 
			 2001–02 (4)20.6 (4)1.3 
			 2002–03 n/a n/a 
		
	
	(1) As at 31 March of each year.
	(2) Reliable data on development expenditure are unavailable in Resource terms for this period.
	(3) These data are taken from the Departmental Resource Accounts for 1999–2000 and 2000–01.
	(4) Estimate.
	Notes:
	1. All figures are expressed in billions and are rounded to the nearest decimal place.
	2. n/a = data not yet available

Logistics

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the net book value was of (a) capital spares and (b) raw materials and consumables at the end of each month since April 2000.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 19 March 2002
	The net book value of capital spares and raw materials and consumables held by the Ministry of Defence at the end of each month since April 2000 was as follows:
	
		£000 
		
			 Financial month and year Capital spares RMC 
		
		
			 2000   
			 April 8,560,947 7,057,584 
			 May 8,839,946 8,978,671 
			 June 9,525,113 7,311,941 
			 July 9,146,243 7,256,798 
			 August 8,872,549 7,430,376 
			 September 8,738,573 7,454,189 
			 October 8,761,439 7,202,662 
			 November 8,737,894 7,185,215 
			 December 8,812,215 7,662,679 
			
			 2001   
			 January 8,690,831 7,613,195 
			 February 8,611,383 7,508,409 
			 March 8,509,752 7,394,542 
			 April 7,809,878 6,099,338 
			 May 7,445,061 6,061,659 
			 June 7,312,296 6,116,666 
			 July 7,412,866 6,322,058 
			 August 7,302,155 6,383,351 
			 September 7,010,435 6,202,675 
			 October 7,078,693 6,250,770 
			 November 7,034,986 6,407,108 
			 December 7,130,288 6,414,625 
			
			 2002   
			 January(5) 7,034,578 6,212,182 
		
	
	(5) This is the last month for which figures are currently available.
	The figures provided from April 2000 to March 2001 were consolidated within the Departmental Resource Accounts (DRAc) for that financial year, but the figures for stock were qualified by the Comptroller and Auditor General when the accounts were audited. The figures from April 2001 onwards will be consolidated within the next DRAc, which will be audited later this year.

Fleet Support Limited Company

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Fleet Support Limited company has (a) met all contractual performance indicators and (b) delivered on time and to cost for all work on Fleet Maintenance and Repair in Portsmouth.

Adam Ingram: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since its formation in 1998, Fleet Support Ltd. (FSL) has undertaken an extensive programme of work on RN and RFA vessels in Portsmouth, during which period not every project has been delivered to time and cost. The reasons for this are complex, vary considerably across the projects concerned and are not necessarily the sole responsibility of the company in each instance. However, the company's performance overall in the last 12 months has been well within the performance indicators which the Warship Support Agency (WSA), as the provider of maritime logistics support, is tasked to achieve.

Iraq

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what injuries were sustained by members of the RAF in the threats and attacks on coalition planes in Iraq in 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: RAF aircraft patrolling as part of the international coalition's enforcement of the no-fly zones over Iraq are regularly attacked by Iraqi air defences, including anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles. Owing to the skill of RAF aircrew, their training, equipment, tactics and support, none were hit in 2001, and no aircrew were injured. This record has been maintained this year to date.

Accommodation

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average wait is by service personnel for accommodation in the private sector when DHE housing is unavailable has been in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: When service family accommodation is not available, the Defence Housing Executive authorises substitute service family accommodation. A Ministry of Defence accommodation agency contractor is then tasked to provide appropriate accommodation from the commercial rental market to meet the service applicant's required date.
	From 1 January 2001 to 28 February 2002, there were 434 applications for SSFA. Of these, some 42 per cent. of applicants were housed, on average, eight days before their required date. The remaining 58 per cent. were housed, on average, 20 days after their required date.

MOD Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the system is of upkeep for empty MOD housing; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: Empty Ministry of Defence housing is maintained under the same contractual arrangements which MOD, through the Defence Housing Executive (DHE), employs to maintain all its housing stock in mainland United Kingdom. A contracted Works Services Manager provides a response repair service and, working with the DHE Property Manager, undertakes a programme of regular planned maintenance which is fulfilled according to available funds. A temporarily empty property required for service family occupation in the longer term would normally have priority over a property intended for disposal.

MOD Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the fraud detection system for MoD housing; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The effectiveness of fraud detection, in the context of Ministry of Defence housing and related works, is kept under constant review. Line management is responsible for ensuring that appropriate procedures are followed and controls operated effectively. In addition, there is a rolling programme of compliance and risk based audits carried out independently of line management. Consultants are also employed to carry out additional audits of property management and to undertake initial investigations of suspected fraud or impropriety. Furthermore, the central Defence Finance Audit Unit is notified of all suspected cases of fraud and they may then call in the MOD Police.

MOD Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how much money was spent on (a) single living accommodation and (b) married quarters in each year between 1992 and 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many complaints were made about (a) single living accommodation and (b) married quarters in each year between 1992 and 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Crèche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what crèche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence provides the following child care support for its civilian and military employees:
	42 work place nurseries offering 1,700 full day care places for children aged three months to five years.
	36 crèches (benefiting 700 children) providing occasional care and 70 pre-schools (benefiting over 2,000 children) providing education on a sessional basis, primarily for service families.
	14 wrap around care schemes for five to 12-year-olds (benefiting 350 children) providing before and after school care to match the working day.
	12 holiday play schemes providing full day care for five to 12-year-olds during school holidays (three are shared with other Government Departments) benefiting 500 children.
	a child care voucher scheme for civilian employees in Glasgow benefiting about 80 parents.
	The capital and running costs of child care schemes are funded by a variety of means including: money raised by parents, benevolent funds, local authorities, the civil service modernisation fund and the defence budget. However, no figures for the total costs are readily available, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Freedom of Information Act

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in the MOD; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence and armed forces are, with the exception of the Special Forces, subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Work is under way to ensure that we are ready for implementation of the rights and obligations it creates. A pilot version of MOD's publication scheme was released in February and this is now being reviewed in light of comments from users and guidance which has recently been issued by the information commissioner under s.47(2) of the Act. More widely, the preparatory work will involve education of all relevant personnel about the key provisions; establishing or modifying procedures in order to support compliance; and ensuring that the status under the Act of all types of information held by MOD is understood both within the Department and, where appropriate, by external bodies. In addition, it is recognised that successful implementation will be dependent on developing a more open outlook and that achieving this culture change must also be an integral part of the agenda. In a Department as large and wide-ranging as MOD this represents a significant programme which, we assess, will require the full lead time provided by the implementation timetable which my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor announced on 13 November 2001.

UN Peacekeeping

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training and education the UK provides to service personnel from other countries engaged in UN peacekeeping and conflict resolution initiatives.

Adam Ingram: Training and education are provided to service personnel from other countries engaged in UN peacekeeping and conflict resolution initiatives by the United Kingdom in various ways. A one-year post- graduate course in global security and a seven-week diploma course in managing defence in a democracy are offered at the Royal College of Military Science, Shrivenham and have been developed for foreign military and civilian students as part of the Ministry of Defence's Defence Diplomacy Mission. The Army has recently commenced a series of 10-day International Peace Supporting Briefing programmes with students attending from many parts of the world. The programme includes briefing on the structure and role of the British Army, the role of Government Departments and non-governmental organisations in peace support operations (PSO), PSO doctrine, civil/military co-operation, the role of the police and equipment and training issues. However, the Royal College of Defence Studies course and the Advanced Command and Staff course syllabi also contain elements relevant to UN peacekeeping and conflict resolution and selected countries are invited to send students each year. Additionally, spare capacity on UK military training courses is offered to other countries as part of the UK MOD's Defence Diplomacy Mission. Examples of such training are as follows:
	Initial Officer Training.
	English Language Training.
	First Aid and Combat Casualty Care (Royal Navy).
	Anti-piracy—Board and Search Course (Royal Navy).
	Combat Medical Technician (Army).
	Regimental Medical Assistant (Army).
	Helicopter Tactics Training (prior to Bosnia/Kosovo deployment) (Royal Air Force).
	In addition to training conducted in the UK, overseas training is carried out by established British military advisory and training teams (BMATT). Most of this training is directly relevant to UN peacekeeping and conflict resolution initiatives and BMATTs are currently established in seven countries worldwide. The MOD also provides short term training teams (STTT) to supplement the training given by BMATTs or is provided for immediate local training needs in other areas of the world. Numerous STTTs are in place at any given time on deployments typically lasting for between two and six weeks.

Colchester Garrison

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answers of 21 January 2002, Official Report, column 557W and of 28 January 2002, Official Report, column 23W, on Colchester garrison, how many representations he has received about the temporary portakabin type single living accommodation for soldiers; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: Other than the hon. Member's question of 28 January 2002, Official Report, column 23W, I have received no representations about the temporary portakabin type, single living accommodation for soldiers at Colchester garrison.

Depleted Uranium

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the last 20 years depleted uranium shells have been fired at the Foulness ranges in Shoeburyness; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: No depleted uranium (DU) shells have been fired at Foulness.
	However, during the 1980s, approximately 200 rounds of small experimental DU projectiles, of up to 30 mm calibre, were fired in a purpose-built indoor facility at Foulness.
	Experimental firings between 1982 and 1983 are confirmed by range records. Further to this, in his response of 9 March 2001, Official Report, column 358W, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence stated that DU firings may have continued at Foulness until 1986.
	The building in which firing took place was designed to prevent any escape of particulate DU into the atmosphere. It was closed in the early 1990s and was decontaminated in 1997.

Colchester Corrective Training Centre

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilians are employed at the Military Corrective Training Centre in Colchester; and how many are in receipt of the prison environmental allowance.

Adam Ingram: There are currently 30 civilians employed permanently at the Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC) in Colchester, and all receive the prison environmental allowance. Two Ministry of Defence Guards Service staff are also provided to the MCTC on a rotational basis, but these staff do not qualify for the prison environmental allowance.

Decommissioning

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when (a) HMS Ark Royal, (b) HMS Invincible and (c) HMS Illustrious are to be decommissioned.

Adam Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 15 January 2002, Official Report, column 125W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle).

Decommissioning

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last Sea Harrier and RAF Harrier are to be taken out of service.

Adam Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 28 February 2002, Official Report, columns 1451–52W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Dr. Palmer). Under the revised investment strategy for Joint Force Harrier, the Sea Harrier fleet will be withdrawn from service by 2006. The withdrawal of RAF Harriers from service will occur as they are replaced by the Future Joint Combat Aircraft and, on current plans, will be completed in 2015.

Decommissioning

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to convert one of the three aircraft carriers into a helicopter carrier after its decommissioning date.

Adam Ingram: There are currently no plans to convert an aircraft carrier into a helicopter carrier after decommissioning. All three of our aircraft carriers have the capability to operate as a Landing Platform Helicopter as a secondary role.

Afghanistan

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if C130Js have flown into Afghanistan; and if the C130J Hercules deployed in Afghanistan have a full defensive aids suite.

Geoff Hoon: No C130Js have been flown into Afghanistan. All C130s operating into Afghanistan are provided with defensive aids. Details vary from air-frame to air-frame but we are confident that for all flights into Afghanistan self protection measures are adequate against the perceived threat.

Defence Medical Services

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what psychiatric and mental health service staff are employed in the Defence Medical Services.

Lewis Moonie: As at 1 January 2002, there were 11 Consultant Psychiatrists and 81 Registered Nurses (Mental Health) serving in the Defence Medical Services (DMS). In addition, there were 11 medical officers undergoing Consultant Psychiatrist training, and 20 mental health nurse trainees. Civilian mental health staff are also employed in the United Kingdom and overseas in support of the DMS, some of whom are filling vacant military posts.

Deployment

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the mean percentage is of the British Army which has been deployed on operations in each year since 1998.

Adam Ingram: The mean percentage of the British Army deployed on operations in each year since 1998 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Calendar year Mean percentage of Army deployed on operations(6) 
		
		
			 1998 25 
			 1999 24 
			 2000 24 
			 2001 21 
			 2002(7) 20 
		
	
	(6) The mean percentage of the British Army deployed on operations for years 1998, 1999 and 2000 includes personnel from the Royal Irish (Home Service) and Mobilised Reserves.
	(7) As at 1 March.

Ministerial Meetings

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings were arranged for Defence Ministers to meet the US Assistant Secretary for Defence during his recent visit to London; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meetings.

Adam Ingram: A meeting was arranged for 18 March 2002 between myself and the United States Assistant Secretary of Defence but because of business in the House, it did not take place. The Assistant Secretary did have discussions with officials.

Injuries

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims have been made for compensation from the MOD for muscular-skeletal injuries during Army training in each year since 1995 from (a) men and (b) women.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence does not record separately cases brought against the MOD for muscular- skeletal injuries during Army training. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Warships

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for modernising warship repair and maintenance.

Geoff Hoon: The Government have decided on arrangements which will secure better value for money for warship repair and maintenance for the Royal Navy.
	The Ministry of Defence has considered a number of options, including internal proposals to improve efficiency, proposals for further improvements from the MOD trade unions, and proposals from the existing dockyard companies. All options offered significant benefits compared with the current cost of undertaking warship repair and maintenance, but the company proposals offered the best overall value for money.
	I have therefore decided to proceed with partnering arrangements with the companies. Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of negotiations, contracts will be placed later this year with Devonport Management Ltd., Fleet Support Ltd. and Babcock Naval Services Ltd. (a newly formed subsidiary of BRDL) for the provision of engineering support and related services at the naval bases at Devonport, Portsmouth and the Clyde. The Ministry of Defence has also agreed with the dockyard companies that a larger proportion of the surface ship refit and repair programme will be opened up for competition, with corresponding improvements in value for money. Taken together, these approaches will deliver efficiency improvements of over £300 million over the next five years.
	These arrangements will involve the transfer of nearly 3,000 posts to the partnering. The Ministry of Defence will work closely with trade unions to ensure this transfer can be achieved as smoothly as possible.

Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the work programme of DERA.

Lewis Moonie: DERA was disestablished on 1 July 2001 as part of the DERA PPP and two new organisations, Dstl and QinetiQ plc, were formed. The split of DERA, and thus the work programme, was done on the basis of capabilities; the principle being that the work that could not easily be transferred to the private sector remained within the Ministry of Defence, the rest became part of QinetiQ's business.

Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the representations he has received from defence manufacturers on the transfer of parts of DERA to the private sector.

Lewis Moonie: On completion of formal consultation on the DERA PPP process in June 2000, 19 written responses had been received from industry, including defence manufacturers. An industry forum was subsequently held to provide an opportunity for a detailed discussion of the PPP proposals before decisions were made on the way ahead. Rather than publish the individual representations, which would require the approval of the relevant organisations, the key points have been summarised in the Ministry of Defence responses about consultation to the Defence Select Committee and trade unions. The summary was published by the Defence Select Committee in its fifth report of session 2000–01 titled "The Draft Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Trading Fund Order 2001 at Appendix 3". In general, industry regarded the PPP proposals as workable and indicated a willingness to liaise with MOD to ensure that they were implemented in a way that best meets defence interests.
	Consultation with industry has been a regular feature of the PPP process and has taken the form of informal workshops, meetings, briefings and seminars. Contact has generally been focused through the trade associations or other relevant professional bodies such as the Defence Industries Council, Defence Manufacturers Association and Association of Independent Research and Technology Organisations. Officials managing the PPP process are also in regular contact with the National Defence Industry Council's appointed industry liaison officer.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

National Lottery

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the national lottery has raised to date; and how much has been spent in Bedfordshire.

Richard Caborn: The national lottery has raised £12.19 billion at the end of December 2001 with £34,087,878 awarded to Bedfordshire to date.

National Lottery

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the distribution of New Opportunities Fund national lottery money, with specific reference to demographic area.

Tessa Jowell: The New Opportunity Fund's programmes are designed to ensure a fair geographic spread of lottery money. For some of its programmes, the fund targets particular areas in order to ensure that funding reaches those in the greatest need.

National Lottery

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the total value of national lottery ticket sales to date.

Richard Caborn: The total value of national lottery tickets sold from the launch in November 1994 up to and including the draw for the main online game on 9 March 2002 was £36,494,475,733.

National Lottery

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will give details of the outcome of her Department's discussions with national lottery distributors regarding increasing the efficiency of the distribution of lottery funding.

Richard Caborn: The Department has agreed with distributors a series of measures with a view to halving the overall National Lottery Distribution Fund balance by 2004. We propose to identify any elements in the Statement of Financial Requirements or policy directions which hinder faster payment and a bolder forward commitment policy and make amendments where this is consistent with good financial management; and to review whether more discretionary powers need to be introduced into the financial directions to enable distributors to assess applications in a way more commensurate with the risk involved.
	In addition, distributors have identified a range of methods which they may be able to use to reduce balances more quickly. These include adopting a bolder approach to commitment, leading to extra awards; improving systems for cash management; and reducing the time between an in-principle commitment being made and the first draw-down of funds. We will share best practice on measures employed by different distributors to reduce balances.

National Lottery

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria will be used for choosing which authorities are eligible to receive lottery money through the National Lottery Fair Share initiative; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Those local authority districts which will benefit from Fair Share have already been chosen according to whether they are deprived and are receiving less than the median per capita amount of lottery funding.

National Lottery

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she will take to help disadvantaged areas which do not receive a proportionate share of National Lottery awards and who have not been placed on the list of disadvantaged areas eligible for the National Lottery Fair Share initiative.

Richard Caborn: Fair Share is one of several targeted initiatives operated by the lottery distributors. The Government are committed to ensuring that all areas benefit from lottery funding. We have challenged other lottery distributors to draw up their own lists of areas not receiving their fair share of lottery funding and target their resources on these.

National Lottery

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how she will ensure that disadvantaged areas receive a proportionate level of lottery funding after the completion of the National Lottery Fair Share initiative in 2005.

Richard Caborn: We will consider what further steps might be taken once we have begun to evaluate the effectiveness of Fair Share.

National Lottery

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost is of setting up the National Lottery's joint community fund and New Opportunities Fund Fair Share project; if she will give a breakdown of these costs; and from which budget the costs will be taken.

Richard Caborn: The New Opportunities Fund and the community fund are required to meet their running costs from their share of the National Lottery Distribution Fund. It is not possible at this stage to disaggregate the running costs that will accrue to the two distributors from administering Fair Share.

National Lottery

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 45W, what consideration she gave to including Tewkesbury in the list of areas under the targeted lottery initiative.

Richard Caborn: The selection of Fair Share areas was a matter for the community fund and the new opportunities fund, based on broad criteria set by the Government. Tewkesbury was not selected as a Fair Share area because it is not one of the 100 most deprived local authority districts in England.

National Lottery

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 45W, how much each of the 51 areas listed under the targeted lottery initiatives has received in National Lottery funding.

Richard Caborn: The following table gives the value of lottery awards made in the 51 English Fair Share areas.
	
		£ 
		
			 English local authorities Lottery award totals 
		
		
			 Ashfield 4,969,982 
			 Barking and Dagenham 12,878,997 
			 Barnsley 20,531,215 
			 Basildon 2,615,620 
			 Blackpool 8,346,303 
			 Blyth Valley 4,150,301 
			 Bolsover 7,637,701 
			 Bolton 33,727,019 
			 Bournemouth 9,244,798 
			 Brent 138,228,766 
			 Burnley 8,150,550 
			 Darlington 6,843,302 
			 Derby 23,905,119 
			 Doncaster 60,909,039 
			 Dudley 21,902,069 
			 Ellesmere Port and Neston 5,795,148 
			 Enfield 19,688,961 
			 Great Yarmouth 6,803,257 
			 Hyndburn 4,306,746 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City of 41,257,139 
			 Kirklees 35,868,837 
			 Knowsley 14,368,675 
			 Luton 11,508,015 
			 North East Lincolnshire 7,109,709 
			 North Somerset 11,905,771 
			 Oldham 16,837,828 
			 Pendle 5,077,803 
			 Peterborough 19,032,272 
			 Portsmouth 63,524,605 
			 Rochdale 17,343,934 
			 Rotherham 36,696,975 
			 Salford 86,495,731 
			 Sandwell 33,400,102 
			 Sefton 18,576,783 
			 Solihull 6,531,320 
			 St. Helens 18,166,887 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 18,566,799 
			 Swindon 21,726,787 
			 Tameside 11,754,532 
			 Telford and Wrekin 19,684,276 
			 Tendring 5,343,771 
			 Thanet 10,434,744 
			 Trafford 13,662,061 
			 Wakefield 31,383,468 
			 Walsall 34,700,659 
			 Waltham Forest 16,941,245 
			 Wansbeck 4,342,966 
			 Waveney 4,595,907 
			 West Lancashire 4,861,777 
			 Wigan 23,675,368 
			 Wirral 18,108,749

BBC

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans her Department has for BBC finances.

Tessa Jowell: I have no plans to change the current financing arrangements for the BBC, but funding will be looked at as part of the process of reviewing the BBC's Charter, which expires in 2006.

International Year of Mountains

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support the Department is giving to Cumbria for celebrations during the international year of the mountains.

Kim Howells: I intend to visit the National Mountaineering Exhibition at the Rheged Discovery Centre in June to celebrate the Cumbrian Mountain Festival that is being held in association with the United Nations International Year of Mountains to boost sustainable tourism in the county.

Museums and Galleries

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action she plans to take in respect of museums in Cambridge following the museums and galleries task force.

Tessa Jowell: Resource: the Council for Museums, Libraries and Archives published on 7 March application forms and criteria for the selection of museums as regional hubs. Museum consortia in each region are invited to submit applications to Resource by 19 April. My Department is currently working with Resource to start implementing the Task Force recommendations with £10 million per annum which was allocated to Resource in the last spending review.
	We will take the Task Force's recommendations into account in the current spending review, alongside other priorities.

Museums and Galleries

James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she commissions independent assessments of how successfully the national museums and galleries meet their key performance indicators.

Kim Howells: holding answer 6 March 2002
	My Department recognises its role in ensuring that the national museums and galleries which it sponsors provide reliable performance indicator data. The funding agreements which are in place with all of our sponsored museums and galleries now incorporate information on the process to be adopted in validating reports on performance against targets. In addition, we expect the internal auditors of our sponsored museums and galleries to provide independent assurance that the methods of data collection are in accordance with agreed definitions and that they allow credible performance reporting.

Sports Clubs

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on Government support for local sports clubs.

Richard Caborn: Local amateur sports clubs make valuable contributions to improved health, the local economy and social inclusion. In order to help clubs attain the financial stability to develop these roles, my Department has been working with the Charity Commission and sports bodies on a possible tax exemption package that would extend charitable status to clubs on the grounds that they provide healthy recreation.

Healthy Living

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what work her Department will carry out to support the Government's public health objective of promoting healthy living in 2002–03.

Tessa Jowell: My Department continues to support and emphasise the significant contribution sport, the arts and children's play provision can make to promoting a healthier society. Through our close involvement in the Cross-Cutting Review on Health Inequalities, we are also examining the ways in which our sectors can help to tackle the problems posed by health inequalities in this country.

Rugby League

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on support for grassroots rugby league from the national lottery.

Richard Caborn: Total funding received from the National Lottery in England for grassroots rugby league is £8,717,584. The responsibility for lottery awards rests with the independent distributing bodies, such as Sport England, who make their funding decisions independently of the Government.

Arts Education

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the progress being made by the arts education pilot projects under the creative partnership scheme.

Tessa Jowell: Creative Partnerships is on course to begin in April when funding comes on stream. This new fund will offer school children in some of the most deprived areas in the country the opportunity to work with artists and other creative practitioners on sustained projects.

Football Grounds

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations the Government have made to the Football Association and other football bodies about the sale of club grounds without making alternative provision for training and games.

Richard Caborn: Neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made representations to the Football Association or the other football authorities about the sale of club grounds.
	These are primarily commercial issues for clubs' managements. However, the Government fully appreciate that clubs' grounds are important parts of the communities they serve. That is why Supporters Direct was set up by the Government last year to advise and assist football supporters wishing to get involved in the responsible running of their football clubs.
	Supporters Direct has recently been involved in setting up successful rescue packages for clubs whose primary assets, including their grounds, have been threatened.

Euro

Paul Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she has met the English Tourist Council to discuss the acceptance of euro notes and coins.

Kim Howells: No, I have not. The British Tourist Authority have, in consultation with the UK's tourism industry and HM Treasury, issued guidance entitled "The Euro—A guide for small tourism businesses" to assist tourism firms. I have arranged for copies to be deposited in the Libraries of the House.

Film School, Newport

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will visit the Film School at Newport, Gwent.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has no current plans to visit the school.

Exercise

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will introduce an advertising campaign to encourage people to take up exercise and sport and to make the most of local council sporting facilities.

Richard Caborn: I have no plans to introduce an advertising campaign to encourage people to take up exercise and sport and to make the most of local council sporting facilities.
	Sport England's well publicised Active Sports initiative is a national programme designed to give eight to sixteen-year-olds the opportunity to enjoy their sport throughout the country. In addition Sport England's Active Communities initiative is seeking to encourage all sports providers to reach communities and individuals who have traditionally been excluded from sport or physical activity, and to encourage delivery within communities that do not have a strong sport and recreation infrastructure.

Regional Theatres

Peter Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government are taking to support regional theatres in Lancashire and the north-west.

Tessa Jowell: This is a matter for the Arts Council of England and the Regional Arts Boards. As a result of last year's Theatre Review an extra £2.8 million was allocated to theatre throughout the north-west arts region. By 2003–04 over £7.5 million will be spent in revenue funding for theatre, representing an increase of 77 per cent. over 2000–01.

Portable Antiquities

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on future funding for the portable antiquities scheme.

Tessa Jowell: I can confirm that my Department has agreed to fund all the present 14 posts for a further full year, pending the outcome of Resource's lottery bid.

Sports Coaching

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the contribution of volunteers to sports coaching, with special reference to schools.

Richard Caborn: My Department and the Home Office will shortly launch our joint Volunteering in Sport project. This project will make available £7 million of funding over the next two years to provide training and volunteering opportunities for people both young and old. The project will focus on existing School Sport Coordinator Partnerships where they exist. The trained volunteers are part of the Volunteer Investment Strategy and will form an additional resource to deliver the Government's commitment to an entitlement of a minimum of two hours per week high quality PE and sport to every pupil, by helping teachers run school sports clubs, festivals and competitions and supporting local primary school sport. Many of the volunteers will also be deployed in community sports clubs.
	My Department and the Coaching Task Force are also currently exploring the opportunities for encouraging more parents and grandparents to become involved in coaching, particularly in relation to school sport.

Civil Servants

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will set out for each civil service grade within her (a) Department and (b) Department's executive agencies the (i) total number of staff employed, (ii) number aged (A) 16 to 25, (B) 26 to 35, (C) 36 to 45, (D) 46 to 60 and (E) over the age of 60 years, (iii) number of registered disabled and (iv) number of ethnic minorities.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 13 March 2002, Official Report, column 1072W.

Sponsorship

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which of her Department's projects have received sponsorship since 1997, including (a) details of the sponsor, (b) the nature of the project, (c) the date of the project, (d) the total cost of the project and (e) the amount of money involved in the sponsorship deal.

Kim Howells: Details of the Department's projects which have benefited from sponsorship since 1997 are detailed in the table:
	
		£ 
		
			 Sponsor Sponsorship Project Date Total cost 
		
		
			 Lloyds TSB Imagination Gallery 10,000 2,000 Creative Industries Finance Conference: connecting creativity with capitalNovember 199918,982  
			  
			 British Trade International 11,750.00
			 Granada Group plc 2,350.00
			 Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. 587.50
			 BBC Worldwide 176.25
			 Publishers Association 176.25
			 PACT 176.25
			 Channel 5 176.25
			 Commercial Companies Radio Association 176.25
			 Database and Directory PA 176.25 Launch of Creative Industries Export Advisory Group   
			 Design Council 587.50 Strategy Document—Exports: Our Hidden AgendaNovember 199936,234  
			 British Art Market Federation 587.50
			 British Phonographic Industry 176.25
			 British Music Rights 587.50
			 ELSPA 587.50
			 DBA 470.00
			 Vivienne Westwood 470.00
			 Institute of Practitioners in Advertising 470.00
			 The Newspaper Society 176.25
			 Deepend 484.69
			  
			 British Phonographic Industry 2,500.00 Creative Industries Finance Conference: Good   
			 Advantage West Midlands 2,405.23 Practice in Financing Creative IndustriesOctober 20015,637.22  
			 University of Central England 731.99

World Tourism Organisation

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has for UK membership of the World Tourism Organisation.

Kim Howells: The Government do not believe that there would be value for money in joining the World Tourism Organisation, membership of which would cost around £200,000 a year. However, DCMS does take an interest in the work of the World Tourism Organisation and offers co-operation in areas such as statistics and best practice in environmentally sustainable development.

World Tourism Organisation

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the cost to the UK of membership of the World Tourism Organisation.

Kim Howells: Membership of the Worlds Tourism Organisation is calculated by the WTO according to the level of economic development and the importance of tourism in each country. In 2000 the estimated cost to the UK of membership was around £200,000.

Historic Sites

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the sites of historic interest in Buckinghamshire which have received grant aid in the last five years, indicating (a) the date and (b) the amount awarded in each case.

Kim Howells: The following table shows the grants which English Heritage has allocated to sites of historic interest in Buckinghamshire in the last five years.
	
		Grants awarded to properties in Buckinghamshire 1 April 1996 to 31 March 2001
		
			 Property Location Date £ 
		
		
			 St. Mary Ashendon 3 May 1996 20,061 
			 St. Lawrence Winslow 10 May 1996 59,309 
			 Stowe House phase IV Buckingham 9 June 1996 89,092 
			 Freeman Mausoleum Fawley 12 June 1996 8,707 
			 
			 Stowe Landscape Gardens Buckingham 17 March 1997 274,000 
			 Chapel at Widmere Farm Marlow 26 March 1997 2,122 
			 St. Mary the Virgin Ivinghoe 27 March 1997 29,314 
			 All Saints Church Middle Clayton 27 March 1997 18,186 
			 Taplow Cross Taplow 25 June 1997 2,301 
			 Holy Trinity Drayton Parslow 24 July 1997 37,367 
			 All Saints Marsworth 28 July 1997 51,929 
			 St. Martin Dunton 8 August 1997 10,450 
			 All Saints Soulbury 3 November 1997 60,000 
			 Stowe School Buckingham 18 November 1997 51,865 
			 
			 St. Mary Hardwick 8 January 1998 39,000 
			 Boarstall Tower Boarstall 10 March 1998 50,650 
			 Temple of Concord Buckingham 27 March 1998 90,000 
			 Stowe Landscape Gardens
			 St. Mary the Virgin Drayton Beauchamp 8 July 1998 32,088 
			 Assumption of the
			 Blessed Virgin Mary Leckhampstead 9 July 1998 16,313 
			 Chapel at Widmere Farm Marlow 16 July 1998 13,680 
			 St. Cecilia Adstock 17 July 1998 23,100 
			 St. Peter and St. Paul Dinton 18 September 1998 20,000 
			 Rotunda and Dido's Cave Buckingham 23 November 1998 163,000 
			 Stowe School
			 Stowe School—North Collonade phase I Buckingham 27 November 1998 400,000 
			 
			 Dropmore House, phase I Burnham 31 March 1999 3,200 
			 St. Mary Mentmore 1 April 1999 21,400 
			 St. John the Baptist Preston Bissett 1 April 1999 32,962 
			 St. Nicholas Great Kimble 1 April 1999 132,800 
			 St. Mary the Virgin Aylesbury 27 April 1999 51,236 
			 Lord Cobham's Monument Buckingham 12 July 1999 84,000 
			 Stowe Landscape Gardens
			 Fane of Pastoral Poetry Buckingham 12 July 1999 56,002 
			 Stowe Landscape Gardens
			 Holy Trinity Bledlow 12 July 1999 18,330 
			 All Saints Wing 12 November 1999 85,331 
			 
			 Stowe School—North Collonade phase II Buckingham 15 March 2000 260,000 
			 St. Mary Magdelene Great Hampden 22 February 2000 80,196 
			 Old Nursery, Chenies Manor Chenies 1 March 2000 35,562 
			 Blenheim Pavilion, Clivedon Taplow 29 March 2000 30,160 
			 The Hermitage Buckingham 29 March 2000 20,560 
			 Stowe Landscape Gardens
			 Hall Barn Beaconsfield 12 April 2000 1,410 
			 St. Edmond's Church Maids Moreton 10 May 2000 20,269 
			 St. Edward the Confessor Shalstone 29 June 2000 15,900 
			 St. Mary and St. Nicholas Saunderton 30 June 2000 10,874 
			 Repton Bridge, Stoke Park Stoke Poges 13 October 2000 4,406 
			 Dropmore House, phase II Burnham 29 June 2000 5,600 
			 St. John the Evangalist Whitchurch 10 November 2000 113,268 
			 St. Mary, North Marston North Marston 10 November 2000 115,198 
			 
			 Lord Cobham's Monument Buckingham 3 January 2001 98,400 
			 Stowe Landscape Gardens
			 The Grotto Buckingham 28 March 2001 19,808 
			 Stowe Landscape Gardens
			 Captain Cooke's Monument Buckingham 28 March 2001 15,200 
			 Stowe Landscape Gardens
			
			 Total   2,894,606

Tourism Satellite Account

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to establish a tourism satellite account in line with the recommendation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Kim Howells: We are actively considering developing at least some of the components of a Tourism Satellite Account, but it will be costly and will have to be considered alongside the other priorities as part of the current spending review.

Golden Jubilee

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many meetings the ministerial group for the Queen's Golden Jubilee has had; what the group discussed during meetings; how many members the group is comprised of; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: There has been one meeting of the ministerial group for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, which took place on 12 April 2000 to consider the planning of the celebrations. Since then a number of other issues have been considered by the group. In the interests of speedy resolution, these issues were dealt with and cleared through correspondence. They are also kept informed of all major developments in this way. There are 23 members of the group.

Golden Jubilee

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which Department will pay for the Queen's Golden Jubilee medals; how much of the cost will be met by the public; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: Responsible Government Departments and the devolved Administrations will bear the costs of their respective services' medals.

Golden Jubilee

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if commemorative coins will be minted to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: The Royal Mint announced details of the design for the Golden Jubilee commemorative crown on 12 September 2001. The commemorative coin has been available for purchase since January and has a face value of £5.00.

Ofcom

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what relationship Ofcom will have with the devolved assemblies.

Kim Howells: The Communications White Paper stated that Ofcom would be expected to develop good links with the relevant policy committees and executives of the devolved assemblies and with representatives of the English regions. We will expect Ofcom to consult closely with the devolved assemblies on how best to establish the most meaningful relationships with them and to build on some of the arrangements which some of the existing regulators have already established, such as holding regular meetings with assembly officials and establishing regular links between senior Ofcom representatives and the assemblies themselves.

Ofcom

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the relationship will be between Ofcom and the OFT; and in the event of a dispute on jurisdiction who will decide.

Kim Howells: As the White Paper made clear, Ofcom will be able to exercise powers under the Competition Act 1998 and the Fair Trading Act 1973 concurrently with the Director General of Fair Trading, in respect of communications matters. The Government are confident that Ofcom and the OFT will be able to work closely and constructively together in the exercise of these powers. This would reflect the existing relationship between regulators with concurrent powers and the OFT. The Competition Act moreover makes provision for formal co-ordination between the OFT and those regulators who have concurrent powers under that Act, including co-ordination of case handling under the Competition Act 1998 (Concurrency) Regulations 2000. The regulations provide that in the event of a dispute between the Director General of Fair Trading and any regulator as to which should handle a particular case, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will decide. To date my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not been required to be involved in this way. The OFT and regulators have always been able to agree on who is best placed to deal with each case and therefore its allocation. The provisions for formal co-ordination will be applied to Ofcom in the same way as to other regulators having concurrent powers.

Communications White Paper

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what provision she plans to make for those (a) with disabilities, (b) with imperfect sight and (c) hard of hearing in implementing the White Paper on Communications.

Kim Howells: The Government fully recognise the importance of access to communications services for people with disabilities.
	As proposed in the White Paper, the forthcoming Communications Bill will extend to digital cable and digital satellite broadcasters the current requirements for broadcasters on digital terrestrial television to provide subtitling, sign language and audio description services on their channels.
	More generally, Ofcom will be placed under a duty, wherever relevant, to have regard to the needs of persons with disabilities.

National Stadium

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether EU directives for the administration of public projects apply to the building of the national stadium at Wembley; and if she will make a statement on the national stadium.

Richard Caborn: Responsibility for the development of the National Stadium project lies with the Football Association and their wholly owned subsidiary company Wembley National Stadium Ltd. (WNSL). The FA are committed to making a significant equity investment in the project and to raising debt financing to fund the majority of construction and other related costs.
	WNSL are required, under the terms of the lottery funding agreement concluded with Sport England, to fully comply with EU procurement legislation unless WNSL has been properly advised that EU procurement legislation does not apply. In such circumstances, the lottery funding agreement requires WNSL to adopt commercial competitive tendering procedures unless it can demonstrate to the satisfaction of Sport England that there is some overriding reason why that is not appropriate. I understand that WNSL's legal advisers advised WNSL in 1998 that EU procurement legislation does not apply to the national stadium project.

National Stadium

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps have been taken to ensure that an independent assessment is made of any future contract between Wembley National Stadium Ltd. and Multiplex to ensure value for money and conformity to best practice in corporate governance and procurement practice.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State set out the Government's position on the national stadium project to the House on 19 December 2001, Official Report, column 292. One of the conditions of Government support was that the Football Association and Wembley National Stadium Ltd. should commission an independent value for money assessment of the proposed contracts with Multiplex. That assessment is currently under way following the appointment by WNSL of Cyrill Sweet Ltd. to carry out this study. A copy of Cyrill Sweet Ltd.'s terms of reference were placed in the Library on 12 March.
	Another of the Government conditions laid out on 19 December relates to corporate governance changes required of the Football Association and WNSL to produce a management structure capable of delivering a complex project within procedures acceptable to the public sector. The FA and WNSL are currently engaged in producing proposals to meet the Government's conditions and we expect the FA's work to be completed in April. The FA/WNSL proposals will be subject to scrutiny by Patrick Carter's review team and Sport England as well as by the Government.

Criminal Damage

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost has been of criminal damage to her Department's buildings in each of the last four years.

Kim Howells: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has no reported incidents of criminal damage at any building on the Departmental estate.

Crèche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what crèche facilities are provided by her Department; and at what cost.

Kim Howells: The Department offers holiday places at four Central London sites. The scheme operates during all main school holidays for children aged between five and 12 years. The cost per day is £26.00 of which the Department subsidises 50 per cent.

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the target time will be in 2002–03 for (a) Ministers to reply to letters from hon. Members and (b) officials in her Department to reply to letters received directly from members of the public.

Richard Caborn: In 2002–03 we will continue to aim to answer all correspondence, whether it be from hon. Members or the general public, within 18 working days.

Landmark Projects

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the progress of each Landmark project supported by the Millennium Commission as part of the Millennium Celebration has been; which Landmark projects supported by the Millennium Commission have exceeded projected time and cost to be brought into operation; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chair of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Landmark Projects

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many, and which, Landmark projects depend on local authority money; how much money local authorities have provided; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chair of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Landmark Projects

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which Landmark projects have failed to match the Millennium Commission funding with private finance; how much the shortfall is in each case; what has been done to fill the gap; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chair of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Landmark Projects

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which Landmark projects (a) her Department and (b) the Millennium Commission have encouraged local authorities to support with council tax funds or their capital funding; how much money was provided; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chair of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Millennium Tower, Portsmouth

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much public money, excluding that provided by the Millennium Commission, has been spent on the Millennium Tower in Portsmouth; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chair of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Free Television Licences

Ivan Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many old age pensioners in the Harwich constituency have benefited from the introduction of free television licences.

Kim Howells: TV Licensing, which administers the free television licence scheme for the BBC as Licensing Authority, is not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that there were approximately 12,900 people aged 75 or over in the Harwich constituency.

Register of Sports Facilities

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects the register of sports facilities will be published; how this will be funded; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Information on sports facilities is currently held by a variety of organisations and a single database will enable more strategic Government investment in those areas and facilities which are most important. My Department is continuing discussions with Sport England on the scope, content, and cost of the proposed database and how the project will be taken forward. We will then be in a position to draw up a realistic timetable for the project.

Millennium Bridge

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what public funds have been expended in rectifying the defects in the Millennium bridge.

Tessa Jowell: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chair of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

Bisham Abbey

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the bodies consulted by (a) Sport England and (b) her Department prior to the agreement of proposals to redevelop Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre.

Richard Caborn: Given the historic nature of Bisham Abbey, Sport England have undertaken extensive consultation on the redevelopment of the National Sports Centre. Among the organisations consulted have been national governing bodies of sport, local sports clubs and other interest groups. The governing bodies and local sports clubs include: English Cricket Board, English Hockey Association, British Judo Association, Amateur Rowing Association, Rugby Football Union, Lawn Tennis Association, BAWLA, Football Association, Bisham Abbey Squash Club and Bisham Abbey Golf Club. In addition the interest groups consulted include Windsor and Maidenhead District Council, Bisham Parish Council, Environment Agency, English Heritage, the Council for Protection of Rural England, Bisham Abbey User Committee and local residents.
	Officials from my Department hold regular meetings with members of Sport England to discuss issues relating to the English Institute of Sport and the National Sports Centres, including Bisham Abbey.

Bisham Abbey

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with Sport England on the re-development of Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre.

Richard Caborn: Officials from my Department hold regular meetings with members of Sport England to discuss issues relating to the English Institute of Sport and the National Sports Centres, including Bisham Abbey.

Digital Heritage

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the preservation of the digital heritage of the United Kingdom.

Kim Howells: holding answer 21 March 2002
	Digital publications are continuing to increase in number and importance. The present system of legal deposit requires printed publications to be deposited in the British Library. In July 1998 the Working Party on the Legal Deposit of Non-print Publications chaired by Sir Anthony Kenny reported to the then Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library. The report makes a convincing case for moving towards legislation for the legal deposit of non-print material. My Department continues to seek a legislative slot in which to bring the matter before the House. In the meantime a voluntary code of practice is in operation.
	The national archive of the records of central Government and the courts of law for the United Kingdom is the Public Record Office, for which the Lord Chancellor is responsible. It has already instituted an electronic records programme for selection and preservation of the records of central Government.

New Millennium Experience Company

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list those individuals who have held shares in the New Millennium Experience Company since it became a non-departmental public body, and for each individual to state (a) the number of shares they held, (b) the percentage of the total shares in the company they held, (c) the date on which they became shareholders and (d) the date on which they ceased to be shareholders.

Kim Howells: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The information is as follows:
	
		
			  (a) (b) (c) (d) 
		
		
			 Right hon. Roger Freeman MP 2 100 February 1997 May 1997 
			 Right hon. Chris Smith MP 2 100 May 1997 June 1997 
			 Right hon. Peter Mandelson MP 2 100 June 1997 December 1998 
			 Right hon. Chris Smith MP 2 100 December 1998 January 1999 
			 Lord Falconer of Thoroton QC 2 100 January 1999 —

Scottish Land Fund

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the grants made to date by the New Opportunities Fund through the Scottish Land Fund, the date of award and the amount awarded.

Richard Caborn: In just under a year of operation, 47 grants worth a total of £4,838,472 have been made by the Scottish Land Fund using New Opportunities Fund funds. The table gives further details of all awards made to date.
	
		Scottish Land Fund grants to date
		
			 Local authority Applicant Grant type Amount (£) 
		
		
			 April 2001
			 Highland Kinlochleven Land Development Trust Development 90,000 
			 Highland Laggan Forest Trust Co. Ltd. Development 73,172 
			 April total   163,172 
			 
			 May 2001
			 Moray Deskford Community Association Acquisition 12,000 
			 Highland Fernaig Community Trust Development 57,796 
			 Perth and Kinross Comrie Millennium Footpath Association Technical assistance 4,381 
			 Aberdeenshire Windyhills Community Group Technical assistance 9,415 
			 May total   83,592 
			 
			 July 2001
			 Argyll and Bute Ross of Mull Historical Centre Acquisition 52,907 
			 Argyll and Bute Mull and Iona Community Trust Acquisition 33,268 
			 Eilean Siar Port of Ness Harbour Ltd. Acquisition 4,168 
			 Moray Burghead Amenities Project Acquisition 19,108 
			 July total   109,451 
			 
			 August 2001
			 Highland Abriachian Forest Trust Development 94,000 
			 Highland Durness Development Group Acquisition 15,670 
			 Argyll and Bute Tiree Rural Development Company Development 50,000 
			 Aberdeenshire Woodhead and Windyhills Community Group Acquisition 90,000 
			 Highland Glen Beag Woodland Steering Group Technical assistance 300 
			 Highland Balmacara Square Management Committee Technical assistance 964 
			 Scottish Borders Gordon Community Woodland Association Technical assistance 720 
			 Argyll and Bute Kilchoman Community Group Technical assistance 1,536 
			 August total   253,190 
			 
			 September 2001
			 Highland Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust Technical assistance 3,375 
			 Highland Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust Development 20,310 
			 South Ayrshire Ballantrae Rural Initiative Care in the Community Acquisition 26,690 
			 Argyll and Bute Gigha Land Steering Community Group Technical assistance 2,974 
			 September total   53,349 
			 
			 October 2001
			 Highland Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust Development 62,519 
			 Highland Kells Croft Steering Group Acquisition 12,475 
			 Argyll and Bute Gigha Land Steering Community Group Acquisition 3,525,000 
			 Highland Fernaig Community Trust Acquisition 11,873 
			 October total   3,611,867 
			 
			 November 2001
			 Highland Acharacle Community Company Acquisition 96,420 
			 Renfrewshire Howwood Community Woodland Group Acquisition 13,870 
			 Argyll and Bute Iomairt Chille-Choman Acquisition 30,358 
			 Aberdeenshire Mid Deeside Ltd. Technical assistance 3,665 
			 Aberdeenshire Mid Deeside Ltd. Technical assistance 4,350 
			 Stirling Trossachs Community Trust Acquisition 20,000 
			 Highland North Sutherland Community Woodland Trust Technical assistance 1,491 
			 Renfrewshire Howwood Community Woodland Group Technical assistance 485 
			 Highland Strathnairn Community Woodland Project Technical assistance 1,151 
			 November total   171,790 
			 
			 January 2002
			 Highland Distillery Wood Association Technical assistance 940 
			 Perth and Kinross Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust Technical assistance 2,910 
			 Aberdeenshire Strichen Community Park Technical assistance 176 
			 Scottish Borders Gordon Community Woodland Association Acquisition 69,971 
			 Orkney North Ronaldsay Trust Acquisition 50,835 
			 Argyll and Bute Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust Development 90,000 
			 January total   214,832 
			 February 2002
			 Highland Anagach Woods Steering Group Technical assistance 399 
			 Highland Anagach Woods Steering Group Technical assistance 799 
			 Highland Laggan Forest Trust Forestry Co. Ltd. Technical assistance 1,000 
			 Shetland Sandwick Social and Economic Development Co. Acquisition 25,265 
			 Highland Kingsburgh Forest Trust Acquisition 148,805 
			 Stirling Loch Katrine Community Trust Technical assistance 961 
			 February total   177,229 
			 
			 Overall total   4,838,472

Tourism

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many inbound tourists to the United Kingdom there have been in (a) each of the last six months and (b) the last 12 months.

Kim Howells: The latest available numbers of visits to the UK by overseas residents are given in the table.
	
		Overseas residents visits to the UK
		
			 2001  Million 
		
		
			 (a)  
			 July 2.6 
			 August 2.6 
			 September 2.0 
			 October 1.8 
			 November 1.8 
			 December 1.5 
			 (b)  
			 January-December 23.4 
		
	
	Source:
	International Passenger Survey, Office for National Statistics

Swimming

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Government will respond to the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport report "Testing the Waters: The Sport of Swimming".

Richard Caborn: The Government's response to the report is being laid in the House today.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Electoral Commission Plan (2002–07)

Tom Watson: To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick- upon-Tweed, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what the outcome was of the committee's consideration of the commission's plan for 2002–03 to 2006–07.

Alan Beith: At its meeting on 13 February, the Speaker's Committee approved the Electoral Commission's Corporate Plan 2002–03 to 2006–07. The plan, which gives details of the commission's aims and objectives, was laid before the House today. Copies will be available in the Vote Office and it will be possible to view the plan on the commission's website: www.electoralcommission.org.uk.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

Individual Learning Accounts

Richard Bacon: To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission if he will make a statement on the resources made available to the National Audit Office for its inquiries into the individual learning account scheme.

Alan Williams: The Public Accounts Commission has provided funding for the National Audit Office which is consistent with the completion of some 50 major reports a year. During the course of each year the balance of the programme of reports is adjusted to reflect emerging issues, such as the Individual Learning Account scheme to which the hon. Member refers.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Contracts of Employment

Ben Chapman: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on clergy contracts of employment.

Stuart Bell: In general, clergy in the Church of England serving in parishes, cathedrals and dioceses are office holders and do not have contracts of employment. However, some clergy serving as chaplains do so under contacts of employment, and the same applies to some clergy who are on the staff of diocesan bodies, the Church's national institutions, or other bodies connected with the Church.

Final Salary Scheme

David Taylor: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent submissions relating to the future of the final salary scheme for retired clergy have been made to the Commissioners; and if he will make a statement.

Stuart Bell: The Church of England is undertaking wide-ranging consultation on this subject. As yet it is unclear whether or not there is any desire for a move away from the current defined benefit pension arrangements.

Funding (Diocesan Resources)

Andrew Lansley: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what estimate he has made of the increase in funding within diocesan resources required in 2002–03 to replace Church Commissioners' funding.

Stuart Bell: Following the Commissioners' good investment performance in recent years, they plan to distribute an extra £10 million for parish ministry over 2002–04 and will increase their transitional relief to assist dioceses and parishes in meeting contributions for clergy pension by the same amount. They continue to meet the full cost of clergy pensions for service prior to 1998.
	The relationship between the Church's funding partners remains fluid and it is not particularly meaningful to express part of diocesan expenditure as a replacement for Commissioners' funding. I refer the hon. Member to the Commissioners' annual report and to our correspondence for a fuller account of these matters.

Church Repairs

Anne McIntosh: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss the administration of grants to churches to cover the VAT element of the cost of repairs.

Stuart Bell: I have had no discussions recently about the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which is managed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. However, I understand that a number of successful applications have already received moneys from the scheme.
	Discussions with the Treasury continue on the wider question of a reduction of VAT payable on the repair and maintenance of listed church buildings. I understand the European Commission has indicated that it will consider this matter as part of its general review of reduced rates in 2003.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Civil Defence

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what changes he plans to (a) make and (b) discuss with his ministerial colleagues on the funding for local authorities in relation to their enhanced civil defence responsibilities.

Christopher Leslie: There have been no recent changes in the civil defence and emergency planning responsibilities of local authorities. The Government have decided to allocate a total of £18.97 million to local authorities in civil defence grant for 2002–03. Figures for subsequent years will be settled as part of this year's spending review.

Age Discrimination

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his Department's policy is towards age discrimination.

Christopher Leslie: The Cabinet Office is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all.
	It is the Department's policy that everyone should have equality of opportunity for employment and advancement on the basis of their ability, qualifications and suitability for work. There must be no discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or national origin.
	The Cabinet Office's age retirement policy for grades below the senior civil service supports the recommendations of "Winning the Generation Game". Our normal age for retirement is 60 years but retention beyond this age up to age 70 is possible subject to departmental needs and continuing health and efficiency for most grades.

Yarl's Wood Fire

Andrew Selous: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make it his policy that Bedfordshire does not suffer a reduction in its civil defence grant following the Yarl's Wood fire.

Christopher Leslie: In accordance with the Civil Defence (Grant) Act 2002, grant will be allocated in accordance with a nationwide formula designed to be fair to all authorities. An announcement on the formula and the allocations to individual authorities will be made shortly.

Regulatory Impact Assessment

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 14 February 2002, Official Report, column 557W, for what reason the Government do not publish information on the relative performance of Government Departments with respect to regulatory impact assessment.

Christopher Leslie: The Government do not hold centrally information on the relative performance of Government Departments with respect to regulatory impact assessments.

Secondments

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the Cabinet Office policy is on the publishing of individual secondees' names; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: My Department does not disclose names, under the Code of Practice on access to Government Information, exemption 12 "Privacy of Individuals".

Parental Leave Directive

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the (a) financial costs and (b) benefits to his Department of the Parental Leave Directive.

Christopher Leslie: The cost of the Department of the Parental Leave Directive is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Cabinet Office currently has a number of policies and practices, including statutory entitlement to Parental Leave, that are designed to help staff strike a balance between their working and home responsibilities.
	We believe that by offering such opportunities we are helping to aid recruitment and retention, improving morale and motivation, and decreasing staff absenteeism.

Human Rights Act

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many cases have been brought against his Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what has been the cost in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments.

Christopher Leslie: My Department does not collect central records of cases in which the Human Rights Act 1998 is relied on. Human rights are now integrated in the general law and are rarely the sole basis for a challenge.

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for PPP contracts let by his Department in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him earlier today.

Stolen Equipment

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2002, Official Report, column 253–54W, on stolen equipment, whether the computer equipment stolen from his Department was (a) new and unused and (b) used; and what was the nature of the data stored on such items in each case.

John Prescott: Of the PCs and laptops stolen, 12 were new and unused. With regard to the used equipment, the data stored on the PCs would be limited to software, as files were stored on network servers. Laptops held software data and files; however, none of the files were of a sensitive nature.

Stolen Equipment

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2002, Official Report, columns 253–54W, on stolen equipment, what criminal proceedings have been undertaken for cases of theft against his Department, stating in each case (a) whether the proceedings (i) led to a criminal conviction and (ii) were unsuccessful, (b) the cost incurred by his Department in pursuing a conviction and (c) the value of items recovered; and if he will make a statement.

John Prescott: Internal investigations of each reported case are carried out; however, to date no criminal proceedings have been undertaken in relation to any of the thefts recorded. None of the items has been recovered.

Celebrations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what arrangements his Department has made to celebrate (a) St. Patrick's Day, (b) St. George's Day, (c) St. Andrew's Day and (d) Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and how his Department celebrated St. David's Day.

Christopher Leslie: The Cabinet Office has no specific plans to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, St. George's Day or St. Andrew's Day. The Union flag will, however, be flown from the Department's buildings on the latter two days. Together with St. David's Day, these are named days on which the flag must be flown from all Government buildings.
	On arrangements for Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Tessa Jowell) to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 11 February 2002, Official Report, columns 58–59W. Consideration is being given to flying the Union flag for the Jubilee, but in any event it will be flown on Coronation Day, 2 June, since this is a named day.
	Other than by flying the Union flag, the Department has made no special arrangements for celebrating St. David's Day.

Public Bodies (Appointments)

Tom Cox: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if there is an age limit for (a) men and (b) women, for appointments to a public body in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments states that all public appointments should be governed by the overriding principle of selection based on merit, and that care must be taken, at every stage, not to discriminate on a number of grounds including age and gender.

Public Bodies (Appointments)

Eric Forth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the appointments made by his Department since 1 May 1997 of chairmen of (a) non-departmental public bodies, (b) commissions, (c) inquiries, (d) agencies and (e) task forces; and if he will list their (i) term of office, (ii) salary and (iii) known political affiliation (A) past and (B) present.

John Prescott: The following table includes information on appointments made to public bodies sponsored by Cabinet Office and appointments made by Ministers in Cabinet Office. The table does not include appointments to the Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, made by my noble Friend, Lord Macdonald of Tradeston and his predecessors as Minister for the Cabinet Office in the capacity of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
	There were no such appointments to commissions, inquiries or agencies.
	
		
			Term of office  
			  Appointee Body to which appointed Minister who made the appointment  Date appointed(8)  Period  Salary 
		
		
			 Lord Haskins Better Regulation Task Force Minister for the Cabinet Office September 1997 and September 2000(8) 3 years and 1 year (subsequently extended to March 2002) Nil 
			 Mr. David Arculus Better Regulation Task Force Minister for the Cabinet Office March 2002 3 years Nil 
			 Miss Patricia Downs Civil Service Appeal Board Parliamentary Secretary January 1998(8) 12 months £260 per day 
			 Mr. John Davies Civil Service Appeal Board Parliamentary Secretary May 1999 3 years £310 per day, plus an extra half-day's fee for every full day in attendance for hearings 
			 Mr. Derek Dear Advisory Committee on Advertising Parliamentary Secretary March 1998 3–6 years Nil 
			 Ms Julie Mellor Equal Opportunities Commission Secretary of State for Trade and Industry February 1999 and February 2002(8) 3 years and 3 years £62,500 per annum on appointment; £64,313 per annum wef 1 April 2000; £66,242 per annum wef 1 April 2001 
			 Baroness Christine Crawley Women's National Commission Minister for Women September 1999 3 years £10,000 per annum plus expenses 
			 The Lord Gillmore of Thamesfield GCMG Advisory Committee on Business Appointments Prime Minister February 1999 3 years Unpaid 
			 The right honourable the Lord Mayhew of Twysden QC Advisory Committee on Business Appointments Prime Minister June 1999 3 years Unpaid 
			 Lord Neill of Bladen QC Committee on Standards in Public Life Prime Minister November 1997 3 years £500 per day 
			 Sir Nigel Wicks GCB CVO CBE Committee on Standards in Public Life Prime Minister March 2001 3 years £380 per day 
			 Lord Stevenson of Coddenham CBE House of Lords Appointments Commission Prime Minister May 2000 3 years £5,000 per annum (waived) 
			 Lord Thomson of Monifieth Kt Honours Scrutiny Committee Prime Minister April 1999 No fixed term Unpaid 
			 Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss Security Commission Prime Minister December 1999 3 years Unpaid 
			 Dame Janet Smith Security Vetting Appeals Panel Prime Minister October 2000 3 years Unpaid 
			 Sir Michael Perry Senior Salaries Review Body Prime Minister November 1998 2 years Unpaid 
			 Mr. John Baker Senior Salaries Review Body Prime Minister February 2002 3 years Unpaid 
		
	
	(8) Reappointed
	For completeness, the following table details appointments made by the Prime Minister to public bodies sponsored by other Departments.
	
		
			Term of office   
			 Appointee Body to which appointed Sponsor Department Date appointed Period Salary 
		
		
			 Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Flyde Armed Forces Pay Review Body Ministry of Defence April 1999 3 years Unpaid 
			 Mr. Rupert Hambro Museum of London Department of Culture, Media and Sport April 2001 5 years Unpaid 
			 Mr. Peter Scott National Gallery Department of Culture, Media and Sport August 1999 5 years Unpaid 
			 Admiral Sir Jock Slater GCB Imperial War Museum Department of Culture, Media and Sport September 2001 3 years Unpaid 
			 Ms Liz Forgan OBE National Heritage Memorial Fund Department of Culture, Media and Sport April 2001 3 years £32,130 per annum 
			 Sir David Hardy National Maritime Museum Department of Culture, Media and Sport October 2000 5 years Unpaid 
			 Sir Peter Williams National Museum of Science and Industry Department of Culture, Media and Sport January 2001 18 months Unpaid 
			 Ms Paula Ridley OBE Victoria and Albert Museum Department of Culture, Media and Sport November 1998 5 years £227 per day 
			 Mr. John Lewis Wallace Collection Department of Culture, Media and Sport May 1998 5 years Unpaid 
			 Michael Blair QC Doctors' and Dentists' Pay Review Body Department of Health March 2001 3 years Unpaid 
			 Professor Clive Booth Nurses, Midwives and NHS Professions' Review Body Department for Health March 2001 3 years Unpaid 
			 Professor Jon Clark Police Negotiating Board Home Office February 2000 4 years Unpaid 
			 Mr. Anthony Vineall Schoolteachers' Review Body Department for Education and Skills February 2000 4 years Unpaid 
		
	
	Information on political affiliation is not collected.
	Information on the number, remit and membership of task forces, ad hoc advisory groups and reviews has been published by the Cabinet Office on a regular basis. The first report was published on 11 January 2000 and gives information for the period between 1 May 1997 and 31 October 1999. A second report was published on 27 July 2000, and covered the period 1 November 1999 to 30 April 2000. A third report was published on 13 December 2000 covering the period 1 May 2000 to 31 October 2000. The most recent report, "Task Forces, Ad Hoc Advisory Groups and Reviews", was issued in October 2001, and covers the period of the financial year 2000–01. Copies of these reports have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Advertising

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the publicity and advertising campaigns run by his Department in each of the last four years, specifying the (a) purpose, (b) cost to public funds, (c) number of staff involved and (d) method of evaluation in each case.

John Prescott: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	For details of advertising expenditure over the last four years I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him today (PQ ref. 36166).

Publicity Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the total real terms expenditure of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on publicity in each of the years (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02 (i) to date and (ii) as estimated for the whole of the present year; and if he will break these figures down to indicate expenditure on (A) advertising and (B) press and public relations.

John Prescott: The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Details of departmental expenditure for advertising over the last four years and to date is as follows:
	
		
			  £000 
		
		
			 1997–98 144 
			 1998–99 138 
			 1999–2000 262 
			 2000–01 464 
			 2001-to date(9) 163 
		
	
	(9) This includes financial information from 1 April 2001 to 28 February 2002.
	The increase in expenditure from 1998–99 to 2000–01 from £138,000 to £464,000 is due to expenditure on recruitment advertising for posts within the Department. These posts range from administration and junior management level through to the senior civil service. Also included is recruitment advertising expenditure for specialist placements within the Government Information and Development Centre.

Equipment Leasing

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the equipment leasing arrangements entered into by his Department in each of the last four years; and what the cost is to public funds in each case.

Christopher Leslie: The following leasing arrangements have been entered into by my Department and its agencies in each of the last four financial years.
	
		£ 
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 Total 
		
		
			 Vehicles 10,089 14,064 51,397 40,949 116,499 
			 Reprographic equipment(10) 160,000 414,155 215,514 514,867 1,304,536 
			 Other equipment(11) 8,148 48,073 21,160 94,248 171,629 
			 IT(12) 2,835 167,606 5,732 29,763 205,936 
			  181,072 643,898 293,803 679,827 1,798,600 
		
	
	(10) Reprographic equipment includes photocopiers and multi-function devices.
	(11) Other equipment includes post room equipment, franking machines and fax machines.
	(12) IT includes PCs and data tracking equipment.
	Notes:
	Women's Unit, Women's National Commission, PIU and CMPS joined Cabinet Office.
	Office of e-envoy established.
	All figures provided are for the full leasing term. They have been entered under the financial year in which the leasing arrangement was awarded.
	Equipment should be leased when it offers better value for money than direct purchase bearing in mind the products whole life costs and quality to meet (but not exceed) the requirement. These costs include maintenance, running and disposal costs, not simply initial costs.

Press and Public Relations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the annual budget for communications activities, including press, public relations, marketing and internal communications, was for his Department for each financial year from 1997–98 to 2001–02.

Christopher Leslie: The majority of the Cabinet Office's press office and internal communications activity, as well as management of its official website, is dealt with by the Department's Communication Group. Where appropriate the group also handles public relations.
	The Group's annual budget, net of receipts, for each of the financial years since 1997–98 is as follows:
	
		£ 
		
			  Annual budget net of receipts 
		
		
			 1997–98 1,629,000.00 
			 1998–99 1,568,000.00 
			 1999–2000 1,918,000.00 
			 2000–01 2,400,000.00 
			 2001–02 2,558,000.00 
		
	
	The increase in the budget, particularly between 1998 and 2001, is largely due to an increase in Cabinet Office activity and responsibilities relating to establishing new Units, increases in ministerial posts and the resultant additional communication activity.
	For expenditure on marketing and external public relations, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 29 January 2002, Official Report, column 252W.

Accountancy Contracts

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the contracts agreed by his Department with the five largest accountancy firms since May 1997; and what was the total value of contracts with each.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 14 February 2002, Official Report, column 563W.

Workplace Smoking

Joan Walley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to announce the outcome of the consultation by the panel for regulatory accountability in respect of the approved code of practice on workplace smoking.

Christopher Leslie: The Panel for Regulatory Accountability did not undertake any public consultation in respect of the approved code of practice on workplace smoking.
	However, the Health and Safety Commission completed a consultation exercise on whether to introduce an Approved Code of Practice, and announced, in September 2000, that it favoured the introduction of an Approved Code of Practice.
	The Government is giving careful consideration to the Commission's proposals. As part of this process, the Health and Safety Commission has been asked to consider further both the implications of an Approved Code of Practice on the hospitality sector and small businesses generally, and the role the Public Places Charter could play.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Fair Trade

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the value of fairly traded (a) tea and (b) coffee used in his Department in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: The Home Office has not awarded any central contracts to purchase fairly traded products over the past five years. However each individual directorate and unit within the Department can purchase fairly traded tea and coffee from those companies that supply fair trade products.
	The Department fully supports ethical trading in mainstream business and fair trade products will be purchased when they meet the criteria on procurement of goods and services.
	The Home Office will be publishing an article on fair trade in the next edition of "Purchasing Matters", an internal periodical for all procurement staff. In addition the Home Office will be holding a purchasing symposium on the issue of fair trade in April. Both these initiatives will encourage fair trade purchasing in the Department.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration his Department gave to the capacity to gain rapid planning permission when identifying sites for the proposed asylum accommodation centres.

Angela Eagle: In identifying potential sites for accommodation centres, consideration has been given to a wide range of issues including planning considerations.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which site in the Bicester area has been identified as a potential location for an accommodation centre for asylum seekers.

Angela Eagle: The prospective accommodation centre site in Bicester is on the land vacated by Ministry of Defence Logistics.

Asylum Accommodation Centres

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 160W, on facilities at accommodation centres, what assessment has been made of the costs of providing transport for asylum seekers housed in accommodation centres to ensure they receive needed services which are not provided in-house at accommodation centres.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 18 March 2002
	We have said we will provide for transport where necessary. We are considering the costs, which will depend on the location of the sites and the exact range of facilities on-site.

Yarl's Wood

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement on the fire at Yarl's Wood removal centre, 25 February 2002, Official Report, column 441, what representations he has received on access to the site by Bedfordshire fire and police services; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: In the immediate aftermath of the events at Yarl's Wood on 14–15 February 2002 a number of anecdotal claims were made in the media and elsewhere that the emergency services could not gain immediate access to the site. To date, these claims have not been substantiated. It is likely that they arise from the fact that, on arrival at the scene, the first priority for the police was to establish perimeter security and also that firefighters could not be deployed within the site until a degree of order had been re-established. These issues will, of course, be considered by the separate inquiries being conducted by the Home Office, Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Group 4.

Yarl's Wood

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a breakdown of the asylum seekers who were detained at Yarl's Wood removal centre on 14 February by (a) nationality, (b) gender, (c) length of detention, (d) the stage of application and immigration status at the time of application and (e) those aged under 18; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only by examination of individual case files.

Yarl's Wood

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will ensure that the on-going policing requirements at the National Detention Centre of Yarl's Wood will not fall exclusively upon the Bedfordshire constabulary;
	(2)  if he will ensure that the (a) additional police costs and (b) costs incurred by retained firemen who have assisted with the Yarl's Wood fire will not be borne by the local authorities in Bedfordshire.

Angela Eagle: The Department is in discussion with Bedfordshire Police Authority about the policing costs of Yarl's Wood. The Government's position on this is clear. We will take whatever advice is necessary, and we will work with the police authority to protect their interests and those of the people they serve in Bedfordshire.
	Policy responsibility for the funding of the fire service rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Mr. Byers).

Ministerial Design Champion

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings the Ministerial Design Champion for his Department has attended in her capacity as Design Champion in the last month; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Ministerial Design Champions meet at approximately four-month intervals. I, as Ministerial Design Champion for the Home Office, attended the most recent meeting on 17 January 2002. The next meeting will take place on 22 May 2002. The Design Champions Officials Group, which works to the Ministerial Champions Group, meets at regular intervals to support the work of Ministers.
	I fully support the measures to underline the Government's commitment to the Better Public Buildings Initiative. My officials are working to deliver the Home Office action plan and I am pleased to have received a presentation from representatives of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), who outlined ways in which they can work with my officials on future design and construction across the Home Office estate. I have encouraged regular dialogue, both with CABE and other Government Departments, to address the common goals and to promote the sharing of best practice wherever possible.

Superintendent Ali Dizaei

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers are allocated to the investigation into the affairs of Superintendent Ali Dizaei.

John Denham: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that 12 officers are currently allocated to the investigation of the affairs of Superintendent Ali Dizaei.

Metropolitan Police Service

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which (a) members of the Metropolitan Police Independent Advisory Group, (b) business associates of those members and (c) companies related to them have been in paid employment of the Metropolitan Police service.

John Denham: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the operating protocols of the Independent Advisory Group require members to declare any relevant pecuniary interest. Two members of the Independent Advisory Group are directors of Ionann Management Consultants Ltd., the company under contract to the Home Office to provide specialist support to the police service on community and race relations training. The other detailed information requested by the hon. Member is not collected by the Metropolitan Police Service.

Metropolitan Police (Internal Investigation)

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will conduct an independent inquiry into the manner in which the Metropolitan police's Internal Investigation Command (CIB3) investigates black police officers.

John Denham: We are currently considering representations on this issue from the National Black Police Association.

Experience Corps

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives are being undertaken by the experience corps volunteering in the constituency of Buckingham.

Angela Eagle: The Experience Corps Company began the implementation of this initiative in November 2001. This is across the nine English Government regions, five of which have operations under way. I understand that the experience corps company will launch in the south-east region, which includes Buckingham, during the spring.
	It will be for the company to decide what initiatives it develops in this area in line with its targets and objectives agreed with the Home Office.

Experience Corps

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the experience corps that have been set up in the constituency of Buckingham; and what total funding each corps has received.

Angela Eagle: The experience corps is a single initiative, which began its operations in England in November 2001. The experience corps will be launched in the south-east region, which includes Buckingham, during the spring.
	The level of funding for the initiative in Buckinghamshire is a matter for the experience corps company to decide in line with objectives and targets agreed with the Home Office.

Metropolitan Police (Ethnic Officers)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Black and Asian police officers are serving in each of the Metropolitan police divisions covering the Greater London area.

John Denham: The information requested has been provided by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and reflects the position on 14 March 2002.
	
		
			 London borough division Number of Black officers(13) Number of Asian officers(13) 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 3 3 
			 Barnet 3 5 
			 Bexley 5 4 
			 Brent 13 20 
			 Bromley 6.6 4 
			 Camden 13.3 10 
			 City of Westminster 45 46.4 
			 Croydon 21 9.4 
			 Ealing 8 30 
			 Enfield 10 7 
			 Greenwich 3 8 
			 Hackney 12.8 18 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 12.5 6.4 
			 Haringey 11 14 
			 Harrow 3 11.8 
			 Havering 2.8 2 
			 Hillingdon 3 8 
			 Hounslow 8 10 
			 Islington 26 10 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 17 19 
			 Kingston upon Thames 4 3 
			 Lambeth 24 18.6 
			 Lewisham 13 7 
			 Merton 3 4 
			 Newham 14 14 
			 Redbridge 6 9 
			 Richmond upon Thames 2 6 
			 Southwark 15 13.8 
			 Sutton 2 2 
			 Tower Hamlets 10.6 13.7 
			 Waltham Forest 10.6 6 
			 Wandsworth 4 10 
			  
			 Total 335.2 353.1 
			 Heathrow airport 1 4 
			 Non-borough units 29 14 
			 Headquarters units 99.4 53.9 
			  
			 Total 464.5 425 
		
	
	(13) Full-time equivalents

Armed Robberies

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many armed robberies have been committed in (a) England and Wales and (b) Greater London in each of the last three years.

John Denham: The number of robberies using firearms is given in the table:
	
		Number of robberies using firearms (including air weapons)
		
			 Year (ending March) England and Wales Greater London(14) 
		
		
			 1998–99 2,973 1,138 
			 1999–2000 3,922 1,695 
			 2000–01 4,081 1,424 
		
	
	(14) Metropolitan Police and City of London police force areas. There was a boundary change on 1 April 2000 in which parts of the Metropolitan Police area were transferred to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey, so that these police force areas followed county boundaries thereafter.

Asylum Seekers

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been detained at Oakington since its opening; and of these how many have (a) left Oakington for accommodation provided by NASS, (b) left Oakington for other accommodation and (c) been detained in other establishments immediately after leaving Oakington.

Angela Eagle: 11,895 principal asylum applicants were accepted at Oakington between 20 March 2000 and 31 December 2001. Provisional data, which is subject to revision, show that approximately 20 per cent. of these were detained in other establishments immediately after leaving Oakington. Corresponding information about the destination of those released on temporary admission on leaving Oakington is not presently available.

Asylum Seekers

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are awaiting decisions as to whether their application for asylum has been accepted.

Angela Eagle: There were 39,400 asylum applications awaiting an initial decision on 31 December 2001, less than half the 87,800 on 31 December 2000. This figure relates to the number of cases ie the number of principal applicants.
	Information on the number of cases awaiting an initial decision (including work in progress) is published quarterly on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ rds/immigration1.htm.

Asylum Seekers

Iain Coleman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial support in vouchers and cash is provided by NASS to support asylum seekers.

Angela Eagle: Column A of the table sets out current levels of financial support. This is provided in vouchers and includes one for £10 which can be exchanged for cash. Column B of the table sets out the level of support which will be provided with effect from 8 April 2002. This support will be provided wholly in cash.
	
		£ 
		
			  Column A Column B 
		
		
			 Qualifying couple Lone parent aged 18 or over Single person aged 25 or over Single person aged at least 18 but under 25 Person aged at least 16 but under 18(15) Person aged under 16 57.37 36.54 36.54 28.95 31.75 30.95 59.26 37.77 37.77 29.89 32.50 33.50 
		
	
	(15) Except a member of a qualifying couple.
	Asylum seekers in receipt of the full support package (accommodation and subsistence) receive fully furnished accommodation including cooking utensils. Council tax and utilities are paid for centrally.

Asylum Seekers

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are resident in (a) the Gainsborough constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

Angela Eagle: The information is not available in the form requested. We currently only have statistics on the number of asylum seekers supported directly by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).
	The only cluster area to which NASS disperses asylum seekers in Lincolnshire is Lincoln. As at the end of December 2001, 70 asylum seekers (including dependants) were being supported in NASS accommodation in Lincoln. Some asylum seekers supported by NASS find their own accommodation and receive subsistence only support (vouchers) from NASS. From available information, as at the end of December 2001, there were 500 asylum seekers (including dependants) in receipt of subsistence only support (vouchers) in the East Midlands Region (which includes Lincolnshire). Figures are not currently available by constituency for those asylum seekers supported by the NASS.

Asylum Seekers

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers whose applications have been refused have been removed from the United Kingdom during the last year for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: Provisionally, there were 9,285 principal asylum applicants (to the nearest five) removed from the United Kingdom in 2001. Further information is given in the table.
	
		Asylum removals in 2001(16),(17)
		
			   Principal applicants removed Dependants removed(18) Total asylum seekers removed 
		
		
			 Q1 2,070 n/a n/a 
			 Q2 2,375 215 2,590 
			 Q3 2,385 355 2,745 
			 Q4 2,450 485 2,935 
		
	
	(16) Provisional figures, rounded to the nearest five. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
	(17) Includes persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them and persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
	(18) Data on dependants of asylum seekers removed have only been collected since April 2001.
	Information on the number of asylum removals is published on a quarterly basis. Information for the first quarter (January to March) of 2002 will be published on 31 May 2002 on the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website http:// www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum Seekers

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last received a letter from the chief constable of Merseyside concerning the future housing of asylum seekers in Landmark and Inn on the Park in Everton, Liverpool; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 18 March 2002
	A letter from the chief constable of Merseyside police concerning the future housing of asylum seekers in Landmark and Inn on the Park in Everton, Liverpool was received on 12 March 2002. We are reviewing the situation in the light of his comments.

Metropolitan Police (Racism)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of allegations of racism have been made against officers serving in the Metropolitan police in the last 12 months.

John Denham: Data are collected centrally on a financial year basis for racial discrimination. In the 12 months from April 2000 to March 2001, the Metropolitan police recorded 352 complaints of racial discrimination.

Wheel Clamping

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to introduce legislation on wheel clamping.

John Denham: Under the Private Security Industry Act 2001 anyone engaged in wheel clamping by way of business or employment or for monetary gain (as well as other designated groups) will need to obtain a licence from the Security Industry Authority. The authority will begin operations in 2003 and will have wheel clamping as one of its priority areas.

Charity Commission

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the Charity Commission investigation into organisations that operate within charitable rules promoting Islamic fundamentalism and raising funds for proscribed organisations.

Angela Eagle: This is a matter for the Charity Commission as the Government Department responsible for charities in England and Wales. The Director of Operations at the Charity Commission wrote to my hon. Friend on 11 March 2002.

Correspondence

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Walthamstow will receive a reply to his letters regarding Mr. M. Amin (A466239), sent on 12 October 2000 and 14 November 2001.

Angela Eagle: I wrote to my hon. Friend on 22 March 2002. I am sorry I did not send an earlier reply.

Animal Experiments

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to set up a royal commission inquiry into animal experiments.

Angela Eagle: The Government have not ruled out a Royal Commission but strongly believe that resources can best be used to make immediate improvements to the operation of the 1986 Act and to promote the fullest application of the 3Rs—replacing the use of animals with alternative methods; reducing the number of animals needed for a particular purpose and refining the procedures to minimise suffering.
	In this context, the Animal Procedures Committee is currently considering the responses to a public consultation paper as part of its review of the cost/benefit assessment of applications for authority to use animals in scientific procedures. As part of this work, the committee plans to produce a statement on the validity of animal experiments. I expect to receive its report in the next few months.
	The House of Lords has also established a Select Committee on the use of animals in scientific procedures and is currently gathering evidence.

Foster Carers

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans to allow non-working foster carers the opportunity to earn credits for national insurance purposes.

Ian McCartney: I have been asked to reply.
	Foster carers whose allowance contains a reward element are liable to pay national insurance contributions. Those who have no liability may choose to pay voluntary contributions. We will keep these arrangements under review as we do with all rules relating to benefits.

Golden Jubilee

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what events (a) he is and (b) other Ministers in his Department are planning to attend as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations; and what events his Department is planning to arrange to celebrate the Golden Jubilee.

David Blunkett: holding answer 4 February 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Tessa Jowell), on 11 February 2002, Official Report, column 58W.

Passport Service

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the United Kingdom Passport Service intends to publish its corporate and business plan 2002 to 2007.

Angela Eagle: The United Kingdom Passport Service corporate and business plan has been published today and I am pleased to say that copies of the plan have been placed in the Library.

Criminal Records Bureau

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Criminal Records Bureau intends to publish its corporate and business plan 2002 to 2007.

Angela Eagle: The Criminal Records Bureau corporate and business plan has been published today and I am pleased to say that copies of the plan have been placed in the Library.

Diabetes (Guidelines)

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change his guidelines to the police on diabetes.

John Denham: holding answer 19 March 2002
	The guidelines on diabetes are currently under review by independent medical experts as part of the Home Office's National Recruitment Standards project. This work aims to ensure that occupational medical standards for police recruitment are evidence-based, job-related and not unfairly discriminatory. The new standards are expected to be applied consistently by the 43 forces of England and Wales.
	The medical review will also take into account the implications of the proposed extension of the employment related provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act to the police.
	Recommendations on proposed new medical standards should be available for consultation by July/August 2002.

Seafarer's Work Permit

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the extension of the work permit regime to include seafarers serving on one-port voyages.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 20 March 2002
	In June 2000, the work permit arrangements in place for non-European economic areas seafarers engaged in domestic ferry services and dredging operations were extended to include those engaged on scheduled domestic freight services. This has been enforced with effect from 1 April 2001, following a period of flexibility to allow shipping companies to adjust their staffing patterns to take account of the revised arrangements.
	Consideration of whether to extend the work permit arrangements to cover one-port voyages is continuing. A decision will be made in due course in the light of all the available information, including legal advice received and consultations with officials in the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

Entitlement Cards

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Her Majesty's Government are investigating (a) privacy-enhancing technologies and (b) secret-key certificates in its work on developing entitlement cards.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 7 March 2002
	My officials have engaged in wide discussion in their work on entitlement cards. In particular, they have worked closely with the Office of the e-Envoy where relevant work on privacy enhancing technologies and secret-key certificates is being undertaken in the context of the development of electronic Government services.

Family Visit Visas

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give a breakdown by nationality of (a) acceptances and (b) refusals for family visit visa applications in the last six months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: I have been asked to reply.
	We do not collect statistics on the nationalities of applicants.
	Statistical information on the number of family visit applications issued and refused on a monthly basis is only available, from those posts which provide monthly statistical information (110 largest posts in 2001 and 111 in 2002). These figures are in the tables.
	The remaining posts submit information on an annual basis; this is not broken down into months. The annual return will be issued later this month, with replies from missions expected at the end of April 2002.
	
		Family visit applications
		
			  Applications issued  
			  September 2001 October 2001 November 2001 December 2001 January 2002 February 2002 
		
		
			 1 Abijan 21 16 11 26 10 19 
			 2 Abu Dhabi 36 15 35 21 28 36 
			 3 Abuja 20 15 15 18 0 0 
			 4 Accra 473 246 238 691 851 210 
			 5 Addis Ababa 10 6 15 5 13 — 
			 6 Algiers 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 7 Aimaly 25 12 31 22 0 7 
			 8 Amman 62 69 46 9 67 56 
			 9 Amsterdam 49 58 34 8 36 34 
			 10 Ankara 9 5 26 8 26 17 
			 11 Bahrain 38 19 18 29 34 25 
			 12 Baku 11 15 24 41 19 19 
			 13 Bangkok 45 34 32 20 38 77 
			 14 Banjul 57 58 41 49 42 44 
			 15 Beirut 108 64 63 90 33 59 
			 16 Belgrade 118 167 254 446 209 229 
			 17 Bogota 80 124 99 95 21 — 
			 18 Bombay 557 528 433 380 489 665 
			 19 Bratislava 92 112 153 116 74 134 
			 20 Brussels 8 12 4 22 9 7 
			 21 Bucharest 105 92 121 73 51 59 
			 22 Budapest 1 7 2 0 6 8 
			 23 Cairo 147 109 124 142 135 96 
			 24 Calcutta 163 109 85 74 109 143 
			 25 Canberra 7 14 16 15 20 12 
			 26 Casablanca 83 77 84 99 126 126 
			 27 Chicago 142 186 234 259 100 177 
			 28 Colombo 82 61 48 65 66 63 
			 29 Copenhagen 44 59 62 82 39 62 
			 30 Dakar 0 3 2 2 1 0 
			 31 Damascus 32 21 21 34 41 31 
			 32 Dar Es Salaam 114 16 59 30 27 126 
			 33 Dhaka 251 222 233 123 212 175 
			 34 Doha 24 22 28 24 21 30 
			 35 Dubai 91 55 56 31 24 27 
			 36 Dublin 18 27 54 33 26 31 
			 37 Dusseldorf 189 303 322 496 207 230 
			 38 Ekaterinburg 10 11 23 17 11 19 
			 39 Freetown(19) — — — — 36 40 
			 40 Geneva 105 49 49 78 73 — 
			 41 Georgetown 47 35 36 43 73 — 
			 42 Guangzhou 105 68 134 128 94 108 
			 43 Hanoi 20 7 13 6 — — 
			 44 Harare 7 4 2 4 5 — 
			 45 Havana 4 5 4 5 1 11 
			 46 Hong Kong 34 28 45 40 38 — 
			 47 Islamabad 999 399 604 774 1,037 1,176 
			 48 Istanbul 223 233 205 205 210 247 
			 49 Jakarta 47 52 69 63 39 25 
			 50 Jedda 18 19 12 8 21 33 
			 51 Jerusalem 25 14 42 36 32 20 
			 52 Kampala 249 73 72 101 59 — 
			 53 Karachi 292 169 188 127 — — 
			 54 Kathmandu 16 57 26 56 13 24 
			 55 Khartoum 27 25 7 24 20 14 
			 56 Kiev 107 93 145 121 73 93 
			 57 Kingston 66 75 76 67 61 62 
			 58 Kuala Lumpur 11 7 3 7 7 6 
			 59 Kuwait 7 5 12 11 8 12 
			 60 Lagos 2,727 723 1,267 165 138 691 
			 61 Lahore 139 223 299 214 317 — 
			 62 Lima 26 23 40 32 23 39 
			 63 Los Angeles 126 125 206 97 174 149 
			 64 Luanda 3 8 6 2 0 — 
			 65 Lusaka 64 51 70 83 33 58 
			 66 Madras 180 206 181 199 275 359 
			 67 Madrid 51 30 48 54 45 — 
			 68 Manila 26 42 26 5 27 — 
			 69 Mexico City 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 70 Minsk 26 25 25 29 16 20 
			 71 Moscow 227 405 321 292 229 258 
			 72 Muscat 85 70 62 113 96 78 
			 73 Nairobi 388 252 279 234 301 183 
			 74 New Delhi 1,027 416 309 353 601 665 
			 75 New York 361 464 632 766 548 — 
			 76 Nicosia 220 178 192 241 240 195 
			 77 Oslo 40 58 74 73 44 — 
			 78 Ottawa 211 247 287 187 137 136 
			 79 Paris 345 358 75 288 135 173 
			 80 Peking 136 182 343 276 341 341 
			 81 Port Louis 113 101 142 144 79 173 
			 82 Port of Spain 3 8 3 4 5 — 
			 83 Prague 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 84 Pretoria 1 3 7 3 8 9 
			 85 Quito 18 14 6 12 20 22 
			 86 Riga 3 6 16 14 7 — 
			 87 Riyadh 18 6 10 0 0 — 
			 88 Rome 72 102 143 252 114 72 
			 89 Sana'a 4 5 1 5 8 — 
			 90 Santo Domingo 1 1 1 1 67 51 
			 91 Sarajevo 105 68 75 64 79 86 
			 92 Shanghai 54 48 73 84 14 12 
			 93 Singapore 10 17 32 16 49 83 
			 94 Skopje 38 52 96 102 91 110 
			 95 Sofia 87 124 211 162 69 63 
			 96 St. Petersburg 54 0 93 94 0 — 
			 97 Stockholm 91 116 106 89 81 114 
			 98 Taipei 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 99 Tashkent 22 4 7 11 6 6 
			 100 Tbilisi 0 0 0 1 0 — 
			 101 Tehran 381 344 381 378 0 0 
			 102 Tirana 33 39 70 41 21 28 
			 103 Tokyo 6 9 10 15 3 12 
			 104 Tripoli 163 119 28 34 67 — 
			 105 Tunis 98 63 60 77 76 64 
			 106 Vienna 43 54 58 80 26 26 
			 107 Warsaw 0 0 3 2 1 — 
			 108 Washington 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 109 Wellington 0 0 0 0 0 — 
			 110 Yaounde 22 24 44 21 13 13 
			 111 Zagreb 54 113 168 195 81 104 
			  
			 Total 13,633 9,912 11,476 11,203 9,826 9,317 
		
	
	
		
			  Applications refused  
			  September 2001 October 2001 November 2001 December 2001 January 2002 February 2002 
		
		
			 1 Abijan 2 1 0 0 1 1 
			 2 Abu Dhabi 13 6 1 3 8 4 
			 3 Abuja 66 62 56 57 0 0 
			 4 Accra 960 1,039 1,634 926 769 726 
			 5 Addis Ababa 5 5 8 3 17 — 
			 6 Algiers 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 7 Aimaly 0 1 2 0 0 0 
			 8 Amman 2 4 1 1 3 3 
			 9 Amsterdam 1 3 2 3 2 0 
			 10 Ankara 0 0 1 1 2 6 
			 11 Bahrain 2 1 2 1 1 0 
			 12 Baku 0 1 4 1 0 4 
			 13 Bangkok 40 40 27 9 21 27 
			 14 Banjul 9 24 12 7 3 10 
			 15 Beirut 2 2 1 2 1 0 
			 16 Belgrade 4 5 3 0 1 4 
			 17 Bogota 11 21 19 4 12 — 
			 18 Bombay 235 161 156 103 152 158 
			 19 Bratislava 3 4 3 2 2 2 
			 20 Brussels 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 21 Bucharest 5 0 18 7 10 15 
			 22 Budapest 0 0 1 0 2 1 
			 23 Cairo 19 6 10 1 15 22 
			 24 Calcutta 3 7 2 0 1 0 
			 25 Canberra 1 0 0 0 1 0 
			 26 Casablanca 20 5 3 4 6 4 
			 27 Chicago 1 0 1 2 1 0 
			 28 Colombo 67 69 67 51 29 28 
			 29 Copenhagen 12 5 3 0 4 3 
			 30 Dakar 1 1 3 3 0 4 
			 31 Damascus 3 4 6 2 1 7 
			 32 Dar Es Salaam 10 10 0 0 0 27 
			 33 Dhaka 278 327 383 248 227 123 
			 34 Doha 4 5 6 6 1 2 
			 35 Dubai 31 51 38 19 28 18 
			 36 Dublin 0 0 10 1 3 8 
			 37 Dusseldorf 1 10 4 6 9 15 
			 38 Ekaterinburg 1 1 1 2 1 0 
			 39 Freetown(19) — — — — 37 32 
			 40 Geneva 4 8 5 5 4 — 
			 41 Georgetown 10 5 14 18 4 — 
			 42 Guangzhou 25 15 13 12 23 21 
			 43 Hanoi 2 5 3 3 — — 
			 44 Harare 1 1 0 0 4 — 
			 45 Havana 1 0 0 1 1 0 
			 46 Hong Kong 2 4 5 4 5 — 
			 47 Islamabad 902 40 253 95 382 832 
			 48 Istanbul 44 38 50 52 99 111 
			 49 Jakarta 2 4 2 1 10 8 
			 50 Jedda 1 24 5 2 1 7 
			 51 Jerusalem 2 0 4 0 0 0 
			 52 Kampala 28 9 28 20 28 — 
			 53 Karachi 39 0 0 1 — — 
			 54 Kathmandu 7 8 24 17 22 26 
			 55 Khartoum 14 15 6 9 13 9 
			 56 Kiev 19 12 12 7 4 10 
			 57 Kingston 16 8 18 21 16 12 
			 58 Kuala Lumpur 1 1 2 1 1 3 
			 59 Kuwait 15 5 5 8 6 6 
			 60 Lagos 273 291 324 155 182 311 
			 61 Lahore 89 98 109 49 90 — 
			 62 Lima 1 0 1 6 3 1 
			 63 Los Angeles 2 5 2 2 2 1 
			 64 Luanda 2 3 0 1 1 — 
			 65 Lusaka 10 28 25 39 27 3 
			 66 Madras 25 30 14 26 22 17 
			 67 Madrid 0 1 0 0 0 — 
			 68 Manila 42 70 81 49 52 — 
			 69 Mexico City 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 70 Minsk 0 0 2 0 2 0 
			 71 Moscow 11 11 4 6 8 2 
			 72 Muscat 5 6 1 3 0 5 
			 73 Nairobi 35 41 57 53 38 21 
			 74 New Delhi 522 460 382 394 372 396 
			 75 New York 1 3 3 4 11 — 
			 76 Nicosia 2 14 6 4 2 0 
			 77 Oslo 0 0 1 0 3 — 
			 78 Ottawa 1 3 5 0 5 4 
			 79 Paris 2 2 0 0 0 2 
			 80 Peking 19 14 17 16 23 29 
			 81 Port Louis 24 27 10 11 9 8 
			 82 Port of Spain 1 0 1 0 0 — 
			 83 Prague 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 84 Pretoria 2 9 5 10 7 0 
			 85 Quito 1 2 4 1 5 1 
			 86 Riga 0 0 0 1 0 — 
			 87 Riyadh 9 4 9 0 0 — 
			 88 Rome 4 1 1 0 1 1 
			 89 Sana'a 4 1 13 6 14 — 
			 90 Santo Domingo 0 0 1 0 0 3 
			 91 Sarajevo 3 3 3 0 6 6 
			 92 Shanghai 7 2 6 2 0 0 
			 93 Singapore 0 0 0 0 28 19 
			 94 Skopje 5 4 8 2 28 11 
			 95 Sofia 15 22 17 10 6 4 
			 96 St. Petersburg 0 0 7 8 0 — 
			 97 Stockholm 0 6 0 2 3 0 
			 98 Taipei 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 99 Tashkent 0 0 0 1 0 0 
			 100 Tbilisi 0 0 0 3 0 — 
			 101 Tehran 56 42 29 43 0 0 
			 102 Tirana 1 8 3 2 0 1 
			 103 Tokyo 1 0 2 5 1 2 
			 104 Tripoli 38 13 16 15 30 — 
			 105 Tunis 50 31 22 13 24 27 
			 106 Vienna 1 0 0 2 26 26 
			 107 Warsaw 0 1 1 3 3 — 
			 108 Washington 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 109 Wellington 0 0 0 0 0 — 
			 110 Yaounde 4 2 1 1 4 4 
			 111 Zagreb 10 3 6 6 5 5 
			  
			 Total 4,225 3,344 4,136 2,706 3,037 3,209 
		
	
	(19) From January 2002
	Note:
	"—" indicate information not yet received from posts

Children's Rights

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the United Kingdom will ratify the European Convention on the exercise of children's rights.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	Of the 43 member states of the Council of Europe only Cyprus, Greece, Latvia, Poland and Slovenia have ratified the Convention on the Exercise of Children's Rights. A new Council of Europe Convention on Contact with Children is expected to be adopted shortly. Both of these conventions include provisions for children who may wish to be heard or represented as a party to the proceedings so the Government intend to look at both of them together.

Public Transport (Assaults)

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many assaults there have been on (a) crew and (b) passengers while travelling on public services in Staffordshire in the last 12 months.

Sally Keeble: I have been asked to reply.
	In returns to the Department, bus operators in Staffordshire reported 12 assaults on bus crew in the year 2000; data are not yet available for 2001. Information concerning assaults on bus passengers in Staffordshire is not available. The British Transport police have advised that in the last 12 months five assaults on staff and seven on passengers were reported on the railways in Staffordshire.

Dog Ownership

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Government plans to introduce licensing for dog ownership.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government do not plan to introduce licensing for dog ownership—the previous dog licensing system ceased in 1988 because it cost more to administer than the revenue it produced. DEFRA promotes responsible dog ownership through byelaws, education and publicity.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Global Crossing

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the dates of meetings that (a) special advisers and (b) Ministers in his Department have had since 1 January 1999 with representatives of Global Crossing; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: No Ministers of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, or their special advisers, have had meetings with representatives of Global Crossing since 1 January 1999.

Air Conditioning

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which consultant was used to advise on the installation of air conditioning during the recent refurbishment of GCHQ.

Jack Straw: The most recent refurbishment work at a GCHQ premises, involving the provision of air- conditioning, engaged the services of W. S. Atkins as consultant.

Air Conditioning

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether an installer capable of installing not-in-kind air conditioning was invited to quote for the recent refurbishment contract for GCHQ; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: In line with Government policy, contracts for GCHQ are let on the basis of a main contractor providing goods and services via sub-contractors, (including in this case the provision of air conditioning). It is for those specialists to determine solutions which may, or may not, be on a like for like basis.

Air Conditioning

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures were taken to ensure that the consultant advising on the installation of air conditioning during the recent refurbishment of GCHQ was aware of the Government's policy on the use of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants in air conditioning; and if he will make a statement on the measures taken by the consultant to source practical and safe alternatives to hydrofluorocarbon-based air conditioning.

Jack Straw: GCHQ ensured that the consultant complied fully with Government policy on refrigerants, which supports the phase-out timetable for ozone- depleting agents—including hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)—as agreed in the Montreal Protocol of 1987, and the subsequent revisions laid down by European Commission Regulation 594–91. The refrigerant chosen for the air conditioning plant used in the refurbishment was R407C (which is HFC-based and is therefore not ozone-depleting) and all other materials were CFC-free. This is acceptable under the relevant legislation.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff have been employed by his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 296W.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have weapons of mass destruction.

Ben Bradshaw: Under the terms of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, China and Russia are legally entitled to possess nuclear weapons.
	Additionally, India and Pakistan have tested nuclear devices. We continue to encourage Israel to resolve international concerns about its nuclear status by acceding to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state. We also know that Iraq possesses significant biological and chemical weapons capabilities and, were UN sanctions to be lifted, we believe it could develop a nuclear weapon within five years.
	There are four States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (The US, Russia, India and another State Party) that have declared possession of chemical weapons. They are currently in the process of destroying them in accordance with their obligations under the convention.
	We are also aware of, and very concerned by, persistent reports that Iran, The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Libya and Syria are pursuing programmes to develop WMD and the means for their delivery.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Israel concerning the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1322 with respect to adhering to the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Ben Bradshaw: The UK along with our EU partners reaffirmed the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention to the Occupied Territories, including East Jerusalem at the reconvened conference of High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention in Geneva on 5 December 2001, and, in both the Conference Declaration and in the EU statement, condemned the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force to contain violence, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1322.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations he has made into Israeli forces' detention, since 12 March, of the British citizen Patricia Rantisi and their occupation of her Ramallah apartment; and what representations he is making to the Government of Israel on the subject.

Ben Bradshaw: Our embassy in Tel Aviv have raised concerns with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) about the plight of all British nationals in the occupied territories. Consular officials in Jerusalem kept in regular contact with British nationals trapped in Ramallah between 12 and 15 March, including speaking by telephone to Mrs. Rantisi.
	On 14 March, the Permanent Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office delivered a demarche in the name of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the Israeli ambassador to London calling for IDF co-operation over the plight of British nationals in Ramallah. The embassy in Tel Aviv has also raised Mrs. Rantisi's plight with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Contracts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the 30 largest contracts awarded by his Department from (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999, (c) May 1999 to April 2000, (d) May 2000 to April 2001 and (e) May 2001 to the latest date for which figures are available, stating in each case the values of the contracts and the companies with which the contracts were placed.

Denis MacShane: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Peter Wishart) on 20 March 2002, Official Report, column 385–86W.

Civil Servants (Education)

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion (a) in the last year for which figures are available, (b) five years ago and (c) 10 years ago of senior civil servants in his Department attended (i) independent and (ii) state schools; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's manpower system does hold data on education details but information on the schools and type of school that staff attended is incomplete. In its recruitment policy, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office aims to reflect the diversity of British society.

British Detainees (Guantanamo Bay)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received clarification from the detaining power as to the legal status of British detainees at Camp X-Ray; and if British detainees at Camp X-Ray may be removed to other jurisdictions without his knowledge and approval.

Ben Bradshaw: We continue to ask the US authorities for clarification of the position of British detainees in Guantanamo Bay, including their status and the legal procedure to which they might be subject.
	In response to our approaches, the US Government has given us the assurance that they will treat all of the detainees humanely and consistently within the principles of the Geneva Convention.

British Detainees (Guantanamo Bay)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) the UK Government and (b) its agencies has been offered access to evidence gathered from British detainees at Camp X-Ray by the detaining power.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 12 March 2002, Official Report, column 867W.

Drug Trafficking

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) of 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 691W, on drug trafficking, what anti-drugs assistance has been given to countries in south-west and central Asia; and what assistance has been given for border security and surveillance in those countries.

Denis MacShane: We have allocated approximately £4.5 million for counter-narcotics projects in central and south-east Asia in financial year 2002–03.
	This region has already benefited significantly from FCO funding. The main recipients for the financial years 1998–2002 have been Iran (approximately £2.9 million, mostly via UNDCP) and the five Central Asian Republics (approximately £500,000).
	FCO overseas anti-drugs assistance is targeted at improving law enforcement capacities in the main producing and trafficking countries which pose a direct drugs treat to the UK through the provision of equipment and training.

Creche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what creche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost.

Ben Bradshaw: The FCO opened its first workplace nursery on 3 September 2001. It can take up to 36 children. Capital costs were in the region of £450,000 (£375,000 for construction costs, £50,000 for professional fees and £25,000 for furniture and equipment). The Cabinet Office provided £150,000 towards these costs from the Modernising Government Fund. Parents pay between £100-£120 per week, depending on their grade and the age of the child. It is envisaged that an initial subsidy towards running costs of up to £85,000 per annum, reducing gradually over a 2–3 year period, will be needed while the nursery builds up to full capacity. The objective of setting up the nursery was to demonstrate a long-term commitment to helping staff combine work and family.
	The FCO is also an employer partner in the Buffer Bear network of nurseries, with access to 10 priority places. The cost of a place varies depending on, among other things, the location of the nursery and staff are offered a subsidy of £15-£35 per week depending on their grade. These nurseries are based at key commuter points and offer choice for parents who do not wish to bring their children into London.
	The FCO currently has two under-two places at the First Steps nursery in Marsham street. These are being phased out, before the FCO withdraws from the contract in December 2002. The cost of a place for an under-two is £223.14 per week. As with our in-house nursery, parents pay between £100-£120 per week, depending on their grade. The FCO subsidy for the coming year will be in the region of £14,000.
	Staff are also eligible to use the Westminster Holiday Playscheme, which caters for 5 to 12-year-olds during school holidays, at three sites in central London. The cost is £26 per day, which is split equally between the FCO and the parent. The subsidy for FY 2001–02 will be in the region of £4,000. Places are offered on a first come, first served basis, which means the number of users varies each year.
	The FCO is currently conducting a review of child care support that is offered to staff.

Nigeria

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Nigerian Government in support of Safiyatu Hussaini's appeal against the sentence of death by stoning for the crime of adultery.

Denis MacShane: We have repeatedly made clear our concerns about the case of Safiyatu Hussaini. Our high commission in Abuja is monitoring the situation closely and is in contact with local organisations involved in the case. Ms Hussaini has the support of a strong defence team, supported by the Nigerian Human Rights Commission and local non-governmental organisations.

Nigeria

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Nigeria regarding the woman due to be stoned to death; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Nigeria about the decision by Sharia law to stone to death Safiyati Husseini.

Denis MacShane: The Nigerian Government are well aware of the Government's concerns over the sentence of death by stoning passed on Safiyatu Husseini.
	Ms Husseini's case is currently before Sokoto State Sharia Court of Appeal, which has said it will give its decision on the appeal on 25 March. If the sentence is confirmed, there is scope for further appeals. Ms Husseini is supported by a strong legal team and the Nigerian Human Rights Commission.
	The British high commission in Abuja is monitoring the situation closely, and has made the Government's concerns over the case known at a number of levels to the Nigerian authorities.

Zimbabwe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the numbers of British passport holders who may need to be rescued in the event of a major humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe;
	(2)  what contingency plans the Government have made to rescue British passport holders by air in the event of a major humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe.

Ben Bradshaw: There are approximately 26,000 British nationals registered with the British high commission in Harare. We have a civil contingency plan for Zimbabwe, as we do for many other countries. Any evacuation would be a last resort and by whatever means available at the time.

Zimbabwe

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to demonstrate the Government's position on recognising the result of the Zimbabwean elections, with particular reference to (a) diplomatic relations and (b) other protocols with Zimbabwe.

Jack Straw: I refer the right hon. Member to my statements to the House of 14 and 21 March. We do not recognise the result of the presidential election in Zimbabwe as being a true reflection of the will of the Zimbabwean people. As a signal of our conviction that the election was neither free nor fair, the British high commissioner in Harare did not attend the inauguration ceremony for Mr. Mugabe on 17 March.

India (Peter Bleach)

Eric Forth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations at ministerial level have been made to the Government of India regarding Peter Bleach; what the response of the Indian Government were; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary wrote to the Indian Home Minister, L. K. Advani, about Mr. Bleach's case on 13 December 2001. The Prime Minister also raised it with Mr. Advani during his visit to India in January 2002.
	I discussed Mr. Bleach's case with the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, on 22 February 2002. Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reiterated our concern about Mr. Bleach's continued detention and poor health with Mr. Advani on 27 February 2002.
	Since December 2000 we have requested that Peter Bleach be released on grounds of fair and equal treatment with the five Russians convicted with him for the same offences, and who were released in July 2000. The Government of India's response has been that the nature of Mr. Bleach's offences was different: we do not accept this. We have asked the Government of India to reconsider Mr. Bleach's case and to take into account the deterioration in his health since he has been diagnosed with tuberculosis and bronco-pneumonia.

Gibraltar

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment was made of precedents for the EU's conditional offer to the citizens of Gibraltar agreed to at Barcelona.

Peter Hain: holding answer 21 March. 2002
	At Barcelona EU Heads of State and Government welcomed the relaunch of the Brussels Process, underlined their support for the efforts of the British and Spanish Governments to conclude a comprehensive agreement before the summer; and invited the European Commission to explore ways in which the EU could underpin any agreement reached. It is for the Commission to consider how best to carry this remit forward.

Gibraltar

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for Gibraltar of the Barcelona Summit.

Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Belfast, North (Mr. Nigel Dodds) on 20 March 2002, Official Report, column 389W.

Gibraltar

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to visit Gibraltar.

Peter Hain: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply from my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the hon. Member for South Staffordshire (Sir Patrick Cormack) on 14 January 2002, Official Report, column 29.

Macedonia

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to present the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European communities and FYR Macedonia to Parliament.

Peter Hain: A Command Paper and an explanatory memorandum for the Macedonian Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union was deposited in Parliament on 1 March.

United States

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings were arranged for the Department to meet the US Assistant Secretary for Defence during his recent visit to London this week; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meetings.

Jack Straw: On 18 March the Assistant Secretary of Defence attended two separate meetings with senior officials from the FCO. These were part of a series of discussions in Whitehall.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration has been given to the offer of the Iraqi Government to allow British weapon inspectors into Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The UK Government have received no direct approach from the Government of Iraq, although we are aware that an Iraqi spokesman announced such an offer through the state-controlled Iraqi media. The demand of the international community is for UN weapons inspectors to be allowed into Iraq. They have built up a vast amount of knowledge about Iraq's weapons and know where to look. United Nations Security Council resolutions also require Iraq to allow the weapons inspectors full, unconditional access at any time. If Iraq truly has nothing to hide it will let them in on this basis. I note from the Iraqi spokesman's announcement that the British team would be allowed to visit only sites named in advance. We are looking for Iraqi disarmament, not yet more propaganda stunts.

Iraq

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to obtain (a) UN and (b) NATO authorisation to allow a United Kingdom military attack on Iraq.

Ben Bradshaw: No decision has been taken to launch military action against Iraq, and so the question of whether authorisation is needed does not arise.

WALES

Press Releases

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many press releases were issued by his Department (a) between 1 May and 31 December 1997 and (b) in each year from 1998 to 2001 inclusive.

Paul Murphy: A monthly breakdown of Welsh Office press releases in 1997 is no longer available. In that year as a whole, the Welsh Office issued 650 press releases. The Welsh Office issued 774 press releases in 1998 and 776 in 1999. Since its creation in July 1999, the Wales Office has issued 30 press releases in 1999, 100 press releases in 2000 and 86 press releases in 2001.

Coalfields Regeneration Trust

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on the work of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust with particular reference to (a) the Cynon Valley and (b) Wales.

Paul Murphy: I have regular discussions with the First Secretary on a range of issues affecting Wales.
	The National Assembly funds the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and it has established itself as a leading funder and partner in coalfield regeneration in Wales. All of the £3.46 million available for Wales during the first three years has been committed to nearly 60 projects.
	I understand that in the Cynon Valley the Trust has funded many projects, including assistance with the refurbishment of the Cwmaman Public Hall and building alterations to Hirwaun YMCA.

Ministerial Visit (Czech Republic)

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what modes of transport he used to travel to the Czech Republic in the week beginning 11 March; what the total cost was of his travel expenditure; how many officials accompanied him; what the total cost of the visit was; and how long he took to travel there and to return.

Don Touhig: None: my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made no official visit to the Czech Republic.
	However, I undertook a visit to the Czech Republic from 11 to 13 March. The main objective of my visit was to meet and to support a trade mission organised by Wales Trade International. The trade mission comprised seven Welsh companies, drawn from throughout Wales, each of which was establishing first contacts in the Czech Republic. In supporting the trade mission, I highlighted the benefits—for individuals and for firms—of a wider Europe, both for the applicant countries and for the UK as a whole, and for Wales in particular.
	The further objectives of my visit included confirming the United Kingdom's support for the enlargement of the EU and the sharing of experience of regenerating a former coal-mining and steel-making region.
	I travelled to the Czech Republic by train at a cost of £816.60. I was accompanied by my private secretary and by one senior policy official. The total cost of the visit was £3,174.99. The outward journey took 18 and a half hours and the return journey took 19 and a half hours. My outward journey was made on a Sunday; both journeys entailed travelling overnight.

PRIVY COUNCIL

Flexible Working

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council how many and what proportion of the staff of his Department are (a) job sharing, (b) term working and (c) engaged in another form of flexible working.

Robin Cook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Twickenham on 14 February 2002, Official Report, column 631W, about job sharing in my Department. Currently three members of my staff are engaged in flexible working although none are term working.
	Staff in my Department regularly work from home subject to operational requirements and based on individual circumstances.

Modernisation

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the President of the Council if, in his proposals for modernisation of the House, he will consider (a) the House providing information about the work of the Scottish Parliament and devolved assemblies within the UK and (b) requesting the same bodies to provide information about the work of the House on a reciprocal basis in their own information centres.

Robin Cook: These are valuable suggestions which will be kept in mind as work on improving the facilities for visitors progresses.

Parental Leave Directive

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council what estimate he has made of the (a) financial costs and (b) benefits to his Department of the Parental Leave Directive.

Robin Cook: Thus far, no member of staff in my Department has sought parental leave. No estimate of the financial costs has been made as these would differ according to individual circumstances.
	The potential benefits to the Privy Council Office of the Parental Leave Directive are considered to be: experienced staff can be retained by offering extra time away from work to care for their children; improved staff morale and performance through a better work and life balance; and improved planning of staff absences.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Pensions

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister for Women what recent discussions she has had with Ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions on pension rights for women.

Patricia Hewitt: Last week I wrote to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions highlighting the work that his Department has carried out in ensuring that pension reforms had improved women's rights.
	Currently over 1.1 million female pensioners are in receipt of the minimum income guarantee and the new pension credit will benefit lower income pensioners, of whom two-thirds are women.
	I also asked my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to ensure that his officials continue to liaise with officials from the Women and Equality Unit so that they can remain informed of the progress on pensions reforms as they affect women and that the development and implementation of pensions policy is analysed by gender so that potential benefits for women can be identified.

PRIME MINISTER

Select Committees

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has been invited to appear before a Select Committee since 1997.

Tony Blair: Since 1997, I have received four formal invitations to appear before a Select Committee.

Equipment Leasing

John Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the equipment leasing arrangements entered into by his Office in each of the last four years; and what the cost is to public funds in each case.

Tony Blair: Equipment should be leased when it offers better value for money than direct purchase bearing in mind the products whole life costs and quality to meet (but not exceed) the requirement. These costs include maintenance, running and disposal costs, not simply initial costs.
	Leasing costs for office equipment incurred in each of the last four years are as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1998 107,892 
			 1998–99 81,885 
			 1999–2000 136,204 
			 2000–01 142,138

Lord Levy

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Prime Minister which ministers of foreign Governments Lord Levy has met at his request in the last six months.

Tony Blair: In his capacity as the Prime Minister's envoy, Lord Levy meets a range of contacts, including Ministers of foreign Governments. In the last six months, Lord Levy has discussed the Middle East peace process with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, the Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, Palestinian Authority Minister for Planning and International Co-operation Nabil Sha'ath, King Abdullah of Jordan, Former Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Illah Khatib, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, Moroccan foreign Minister Mohammed Benaissa, Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf Bin Alawi, and Tunisian Foreign Minister Habib Bin Yahia.
	He also met President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, and the Venezuelan Vice President and Foreign Minister to discuss bilateral relations.
	Lord Levy has also met a number of more junior Ministers in his role as the Prime Minister's envoy.

Parental Leave Directive

John Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the (a) financial costs and (b) benefits to his Office of the Parental Leave Directive.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office today.

Age Discrimination

John Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister what his Office's policy is towards age discrimination.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office today.

Safiyatu Hussaini

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Prime Minister if he raised the case of Safiyatu Hussaini during his meetings with representatives of the Nigerian Government in February.

Tony Blair: The case was not raised during my meetings, which focused on other issues.
	The Nigerian Government is well aware of the Government's concerns over the sentence of death by stoning passed on Safiyatu Hussaini. We have made our concerns over the case known at a number of levels within the Nigerian federal system.
	Ms Hussaini's case is currently before Sokoto State Sharia Court of Appeal, which has said it will give its decision on the appeal on 25 March. If the sentence is confirmed, there is scope for further appeals thereafter. Ms Hussaini is supported by a strong legal team and the Nigerian Human Rights Commission.
	The British High Commission in Abuja is continuing to monitor the situation closely.

Phase Three Implementation

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the implications for Government policy of the implementation of Phase Three.

Tony Blair: The Government's policy agenda focuses on sustaining a strong economy and making improvements in productivity and enterprise, continuing welfare reform and increasing social justice, driving through public service reform particularly in education, health, crime and transport, and taking a leading place at the centre of Europe and the wider international community.

Unpaid Advisers

Alan Beith: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the names of the unpaid advisers appointed by him since June 1997, stating in each case (a) the date of their appointment, (b) the duration of their appointment and (c) the project or projects on which they have been engaged.

Tony Blair: At 25 March, I had appointed the following unpaid advisers to work with the new Forward Strategy Unit (FSU):
	Arnab Banerji, Chief Investment Officer of F&C Management Ltd.;
	Nick Lovegrove, Partner at McKinsey's;
	Penny Hughes, formerly President of Coca Cola Great Britain and Ireland, currently non-executive director of Vodafone plc and Trinity Mirror plc;
	Adair Turner, Vice Chairman of Merrill Lynch.
	Lord Birt, my unpaid strategy adviser, has an over- arching role on a number of projects supported by the FSU.
	Previous unpaid advisers who have been appointed by me and the issues on which they advised are Lord Stevenson (education), Lord Simon (the civil service), and Lord Birt (crime).

Rehabilitation International's Charter

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Prime Minister what response he has made to representations on the Government's support for Rehabilitation International's Charter for the Third Millennium, presented to him on 5 July 2000 and the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Charter's call for a UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People; and if he will (a) publish the response in the Official Report and (b) place copies in the Library.

Tony Blair: I have received representations on this matter.
	I welcomed Rehabilitation International's Charter for the Third Millennium in July 2000. In doing so, I said that I believed that it would form the basis of a global consensus on priorities for at least the next decade. This absolutely remains the Government's view.
	At the UN General Assembly in November a resolution calling for an international convention on disability, as envisaged in the charter, was adopted. The resolution has now established an ad hoc committee to consider proposals for an international convention on the rights and dignities of disabled people. It is likely that the committee will meet this summer. We will want to work closely with other on the committee to ensure that the convention is clearly focused and its aims and objectives are consistent with member states' national interests and responsibilities.
	In addition, there have been two further important international developments.
	The Irish Resolution at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in 2000 has led to a study on the adequacy of existing international standards to protect the rights of people with disabilities. Its findings are due soon and are expected to inform the Irish draft at this year's CHR.
	We also await the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Social Development for Disability, Mr. Bengt Lindquist, who is monitoring the implementation of the UN Standard Rules as well as looking at the question of an international convention. The Government support the activities of the Special Rapporteur and have contributed £20,000 to further his important work.
	In the meantime, the Government continue to focus here on action to take forward our commitment to comprehensive and enforceable civil rights for disabled people in the UK. This policy presently ensures that the UK is ahead of many other countries in legislating for and promoting civil rights for disabled people.

Strategic Rail Authority

Theresa May: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions his Policy Unit has had with the SRA on the development of the SRA's Capacity Utilisation Strategy.

Tony Blair: Officials have meetings with a range of people in the course of their work. It is not the normal practice of the Government to release details of such meetings or discussions.

Illegal Meat Imports

Alan Reid: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on departmental responsibility for (a) preventing illegal meat imports entering the United Kingdom and (b) detecting meat imports which have entered the United Kingdom illegally.

Tony Blair: DEFRA has lead responsibility for animal health controls on imports of meat working with the Food Standards Agency, HM Customs, the devolved Administrations, and local and port health authorities.

Gibraltar

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to visit Gibraltar.

Tony Blair: I have no immediate plans to do so.

Gibraltar

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister when he last spoke to the Chief Minister of Gibraltar.

Tony Blair: I have not spoken to the Chief Minister of Gibraltar. My right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Europe met the Chief Minister of Gibraltar most recently on 25 January and are in regular contact with him in writing and through the Governor of Gibraltar.

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister what his target time will be in 2002–03 for (a) Ministers to reply to letters from hon. Members and (b) officials in his office to reply to letters received directly from members of the public.

Tony Blair: The effective handling of correspondence is an issue to which I, and ministerial colleagues, attach great importance. My office takes action on all letter received within 15 working days.

LORD CHANCELLOR

McKenzie Friends

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department under what circumstances a McKenzie Friend (a) can and (b) cannot be used in court; and in which type of courts they are used.

Rosie Winterton: The judgment in the 1999 Court of Appeal case of R. v. Bow County Court, ex parte Pelling confirms that litigants in person should be allowed the help of a McKenzie Friend in public proceedings, held in open court or in chambers, unless the judge is satisfied that fairness and the interests of justice do not require it.
	In an open court hearing there usually must be some justification established if a person is not to have the benefit of a McKenzie Friend, or some evidence that the McKenzie Friend has acted or is acting inappropriately at the hearing which makes it reasonable to deprive the litigant of the assistance which would otherwise be permitted.
	Where the proceedings are held in private then the nature of those proceedings (which make it appropriate for the hearing to be in private) may make it undesirable in the interests of justice for a McKenzie Friend to assist.

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of the children's guardians who work for CAFCASS have been allowed to access the CAFCASS IT system; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The CAFCASS IT system is available to all office-based employed guardians but not yet to newly employed home-based guardians who accepted an offer of employment last summer.

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the estimated date is for CAFCASS to be 'e' ready in line with targets set for public bodies; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The CAFCASS Corporate Plan states that CAFCASS is contributing to the 'e' Government agenda through increased capacity, where appropriate, for services to be delivered by electronic means by 2005. CAFCASS is developing an IT infrastructure which facilitates efficient and effective exchange of information between agencies in the family justice system.

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what frequency of board meetings the CAFCASS Support Infrastructure Project Initiation document specifies; and on how many occasions the board met between July 2001 and January 2002.

Rosie Winterton: The Support Infrastructure Project Initiation document did not specifically state a frequency of meeting, nor is a specific frequency mandated in the PRINCE2 manual. The Support Infrastructure Project did not meet after July 2001 as the project was put on hold.

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

Simon Hughes: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the CAFCASS IT system has database facilities installed; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: CAFCASS inherited systems with database facilities. The CAFCASS IT system continues to support and extend these databases. The recent Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate (MCSI) report said that IT investment across CAFCASS was, in general, a success story once initial teething problems had been addressed.

Disputes Resolution

David Kidney: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what (a) action she has taken and (b) results have been achieved, pursuant to her pledge that Government legal disputes will be settled by mediation or arbitration whenever possible.

Rosie Winterton: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 15 October 2001 in response to his question on how my Department will report to Parliament on progress with the Government's commitment to use alternative dispute resolutions where possible in resolving its own disputes. On that occasion I explained that the Lord Chancellor intends to make an announcement at the beginning of the next financial year, and has asked all Government Departments to collect the relevant figures.

Court Proceedings Pilot

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the pilot for extended courts in Manchester and London will commence; when the courts will start and close business; and for how long the pilots will run.

Michael Wills: The two pilot schemes are due to commence in spring 2002. The proposed plans for Manchester and London are different. They are:
	(i) The pilot at Manchester city magistrates court is planned to support the key criminal justice objectives of access to justice, reducing delay and improving services to victims and witnesses. The pilot courts will have an earlier start from 9am for three adult remand courts from Monday to Friday. Additional sittings for trials will take place in two court rooms from 4pm until 8pm on two evenings per week (Tuesday and Thursday).
	(ii) In London the plan is for Bow Street magistrates court to support the objective of arrest and straight to court by dealing immediately with evening arrests and to evaluate if this will deter criminals and provide reassurance to the public. One court will sit from 6pm until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights.
	Both pilots will run for approximately six months. The actual start dates and full details of the schemes will be given in a press notice which will be released when all of the aspects for the working protocols are agreed and finalised with the agencies involved.

Persistent Offenders

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidelines he has issued to courts about detaining persistent offenders under 16 years who are (a) charged with and (b) guilty of non- violent offences; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: The decision whether to grant bail or not is a judicial decision taken within the statutory framework provided by the Bail Act 1976. Judges and magistrates carry out their duties independently of the Government. It would be wrong for Ministers to seek to direct judges or magistrates in the way they exercise their discretion. Accordingly, no guidelines have been issued on the use of bail or the related powers in section 23 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969. For the same reasons, my Department does not issue guidelines on sentencing. Magistrates and judges are helped by decisions of the higher courts and, particularly, by the guideline judgments of the Court of Appeal. In R. v. Howells and others (1998) the then Lord Chief Justice, Lord Bingham, in a reserved judgment, considered, at length, the factors which courts should weigh when considering whether an offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence is justified.

Litigation

Andrew Turner: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases (a) her Department and (b) its agencies have defended in (i) industrial tribunals and (ii) the courts in each year since 1997; how many were concluded in their favour; and what the total cost to her Department of litigation was in each year.

Rosie Winterton: In each year since 1997 the Lord Chancellor's Department (including the Court Service) has defended the following number of (new) cases:
	(a) 1997–98:
	12 employment tribunal cases
	77 court cases.
	(b) 1998–99:
	13 employment tribunal cases
	94 court cases.
	(c) 1999–2000:
	26 employment tribunal cases
	81 court cases.
	(d) 2000–01:
	26 employment tribunal cases
	80 court cases.
	(e) 2001 to date:
	21 employment tribunal cases
	108 court cases.
	Of the employment tribunal cases, only one case was concluded against the Department/Court Service which was in the year 2000 (the case having been issued in 1998). All the other cases (which are not on-going) were either successfully defended at trial (or on appeal), or withdrawn beforehand. Of those employment tribunal cases withdrawn, agreed compensation was paid in the following number of cases:
	(a) 1997–98: one
	(b) 1998–99: three
	(c) 1999–2000: three
	(d) 2000–01: one
	(e) 2001 to date: two.
	Of the other court cases, the vast majority of these were either struck out, disposed of summarily by the court, or settled on favourable terms. On the information readily available in the Department, in the last year there has been only one case in which the court has given judgment against the Department/Court Service.
	In each year since 1997 the Public Guardianship Office (formerly the Public Trust Office) has defended the following number of (new) cases:
	(a) 1997–98:
	0 employment tribunal cases
	0 court cases.
	(b) 1998–99:
	one employment tribunal case
	five court cases.
	(c) 1999–2000:
	0 employment tribunal cases
	one court case.
	(d) 2000–01:
	three employment tribunal cases
	0 court cases.
	(e) 2001 to date:
	one employment tribunal case
	0 court cases.
	Of the employment tribunal cases, none of these were concluded against the Public Trust/Guardianship Office and of the cases which were withdrawn, in only one case was agreed compensation paid (in 2000–01).
	Of the other cases, in only one case was agreed compensation paid (in 2001).
	Treasury Solicitor's costs (which includes Counsel's fees) for each year for cases 1 involving the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Court Service and the PGO (formerly PTO) were:
	(a) 1997–98: £384,202
	(b) 1998–99: £512,568
	(c) 1999–2000: £589,242
	(d) 2000–01: £627,862
	(e) 2001 to date: £766,961.
	1 These figures may include a small amount in relation to "non-litigious" work. It has not been possible in the time available to exclude any such amounts.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Circulars

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the circular documents that have been sent by her Department to local education authorities since 7 June 2001; and how many pages each document contained.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 18 March 2002
	We have sent 274 documents to local education authorities between 7 June 2001 and 18 March 2002. The full list of titles and page numbers has been placed in the Library.

Child Care

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many child care places in day nurseries, with childminders and in pre-school and playgroups were available for every 100 children aged under eight years in each region in England in (a) 1997 and (b) 2002;
	(2)  if she will list, for each region of England and for each London borough, how many places at (a) day nurseries, (b) childminders, (c) play groups and play schools, (d) out of school clubs and (e) holiday play schemes there were in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2001;
	(3)  how many places in (a) after-school clubs and (b) holiday play-schemes were available per 100 children of primary school age in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2001.

Margaret Hodge: Information is not available in the form requested. The available information is shown in the tables.
	Latest figures on day care facilities in England were published by my Department in the Statistical Bulletin "Children's Day Care facilities at 31 March 2001 (08/01)" in October 2001, a copy of which is available from the Library. An electronic copy of this publication is also available on my Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/ statistics.
	
		Number of places in children's day care provision(20), England, 1997 and 2001 (position at 31 March each year)
		
			  1997 2001  
			  Places Places/100 children Places Places/100 children 
		
		
			  Provision for children aged under 8  
			 Day nurseries 193,800 (21)6 285,100 (21)10 
			 Playgroups and pre-schools 383,700 (21)12 330,200 (21)11 
			 Childminders 365,200 (22)7 304,600 (22)6 
			  
			  Provision for children aged 5–7  
			 Out-of-school clubs 78,700 (23)4 152,800 (23)8 
			 Holiday schemes(24),(25) 209,000 (23)11 598,000 (23)32 
		
	
	(20) Rounded to the nearest 100.
	(21) Places/100 children aged 0 to 4.
	(22) Places/100 children aged under 8.
	(23) Places/100 children aged 5 to 7.
	(24) Holiday schemes have been counted once for each holiday period in which they operate.
	(25) Additional guidance was given to data providers in 1999.
	
		Number of places in children's day care provision(26), England, Government office regions and London boroughs 1997 (position at 31 March)
		
			  Day nurseries Playgroups and pre-schools Childminders Out-of-school clubs Holiday schemes 
		
		
			 England 193,800 383,700 365,200 78,700 209,000 
			   
			 North East n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 North West n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 East Midlands n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 West Midlands n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 East of England n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Inner London n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Outer London n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 South East n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 South West n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			   
			 Camden 1,396 563 843 n/a n/a 
			 City of London 78 2,209 4 70 72 
			 Hackney 1,950 538 911 1,110 2,329 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,192 n/a 254 n/a n/a 
			 Haringey 775 593 1,355 208 1,250 
			 Islington 1,868 716 1,084 1,084 1,543 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 926 337 305 730 3,060 
			 Lambeth n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Lewisham 1,436 478 1,109 951 960 
			 Newham 798 283 1,367 196 1,231 
			 Southwark 1,650 578 1,048 2,077 2,305 
			 Tower Hamlets n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Wandsworth 1,894 1,429 2,537 1,027 3,496 
			 Westminster 1,089 834 379 727 2,964 
			 Barking and Dagenham 355 707 615 168 1,214 
			 Barnet 566 931 1,110 337 2,946 
			 Bexley 448 1,222 1,764 184 534 
			 Brent 1,786 546 1,721 310 n/a 
			 Bromley n/a 2,498 2,353 320 1,082 
			 Croydon 1,088 1,176 3,006 714 709 
			 Ealing 1,309 454 3,220 532 414 
			 Enfield 850 986 1,955 294 708 
			 Greenwich 895 666 1,413 182 248 
			 Harrow 155 1,237 1,321 198 1,118 
			 Havering 572 1,736 1,630 275 363 
			 Hillingdon 151 934 2,765 112 1,072 
			 Hounslow 876 735 593 633 2,155 
			 Kingston upon Thames 715 1,159 1,213 277 2,302 
			 Merton 585 627 927 311 3,534 
			 Redbridge 106 1,392 1,490 175 2,288 
			 Richmond upon Thames 1,106 1,516 1,380 407 4,922 
			 Sutton 845 1,047 1,257 407 4,922 
			 Waltham Forest 280 587 1,919 122 n/a 
		
	
	n/a = Not available
	(26) Figures for England and Government office regions rounded to the nearest 100.
	
		Number of places in children's day care provision(27), England, Government office regions and London boroughs 2001 (position at 31 March)
		
			  Day nurseries Playgroups and pre-schools Childminders Out-of-school clubs Holiday schemes 
		
		
			 England 285,100 330,200 304,600 152,800 598,000 
			   
			 North East 9,200 10,100 15,300 8,400 24,700 
			 North West 50,900 41,500 36,100 24,800 67,200 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 25,300 25,500 29,500 14,300 58,500 
			 East Midlands 21,400 25,800 19,200 13,000 63,700 
			 West Midlands 37,200 30,700 32,200 15,700 35,800 
			 East of England 22,400 45,300 32,200 11,800 43,400 
			 Inner London 22,800 8,400 10,600 23,200 63,200 
			 Outer London 22,100 25,700 27,700 11,800 77,100 
			 South East 47,900 71,800 64,400 17,400 109,100 
			 South West 25,900 45,300 36,000 13,100 55,400 
			   
			 Camden 1,350 432 807 1,068 7,180 
			 City of London 81 49 6 220 792 
			 Hackney 2,310 653 961 1,800 560 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,152 713 510 220 2,105 
			 Haringey 1,218 618 1,008 1,382 9,686 
			 Islington 2,102 460 823 3,815 3,580 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 1,592 726 206 940 1,085 
			 Lambeth 1,980 629 939 1,462 6,972 
			 Lewisham 2,061 906 1,179 1,694 1,736 
			 Newham 1,885 579 1,027 1,167 15,126 
			 Southwark 1,906 904 1,081 3,113 4,940 
			 Tower Hamlets 1,133 400 376 1,147 1,342 
			 Wandsworth 2,876 1,072 1,378 1,227 6,282 
			 Westminster 1,105 264 338 2,861 1,794 
			   
			 Barking and Dagenham 448 1,110 684 338 5,292 
			 Barnet 1,791 1,142 1,885 690 4,856 
			 Bexley 550 1,414 1,699 223 1,921 
			 Brent 2,304 479 1,343 748 2,395 
			 Bromley 1,102 3,534 2,532 568 4,336 
			 Croydon 1,438 1,999 2,139 1,191 8,719 
			 Ealing 2,457 1,105 2,716 974 2,702 
			 Enfield 937 1,928 1,571 1,550 7,532 
			 Greenwich 741 866 1,189 255 581 
			 Harrow 293 1,620 1,059 446 2,752 
			 Havering 607 1,681 1,068 226 2,358 
			 Hillingdon 1,833 1,139 2,424 280 1,904 
			 Hounslow 911 854 737 910 5,154 
			 Kingston upon Thames 685 1,024 1,208 953 3,900 
			 Merton 949 664 1,058 330 2,793 
			 Redbridge 1,092 1,600 1,315 490 3,171 
			 Richmond upon Thames 1,320 1,619 1,146 625 3,910 
			 Sutton 928 996 1,216 412 1,975 
			 Waltham Forest 1,697 932 696 576 10,830 
		
	
	(27) Figures for England and Government office regions rounded to the nearest 100.

Child Care

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how much money was spent by Cambridgeshire in 2000–01 in creating child care places;
	(2)  how much money has been allocated to Cambridgeshire to achieve its child care targets in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02.

Margaret Hodge: For 2000–01, Cambridgeshire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) was allocated a total of £642,570, including £100,500 from the European Social Fund (ESF) for child care. For 2001–02, their allocation is £2,149,873, including £375,835 from the ESF.
	In 2000–01 Cambridgeshire spent £604,113 towards the creation of child care places.
	In addition, money from the New Opportunities Fund is available to support the creation of out of school hours care and neighbourhood nurseries.

Child Care

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the targets are for Cambridgeshire for the creation of new child care places in 2001–02;
	(2)  what the latest figures are for the creation of child care places in Cambridgeshire in 2001–02.

Margaret Hodge: Cambridgeshire EYDCP has targets to create 1,577 child care places in 2001–02 by April 2002. By the end of December 2001 Cambridgeshire EYDCP had reported the creation of 1,401 child care places.

Child Care

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will review the OfSTED application pack for day care registration.

Margaret Hodge: The content of application packs is a matter for OFSTED. I understand that OFSTED is reviewing the content currently and that revised packs will be available later in the year.

Nursing Diploma

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the student funding review is examining funding arrangements for nurses on diploma courses.

Margaret Hodge: No. Funding for nurses on diploma courses does not form part of the student finance review being undertaken by my Department, as it is the responsibility of the Department of Health.

School Conditions

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many schools were (a) rebuilt and (b) substantially remodelled in 2001–02;
	(2)  if she will list by LEA building works in schools exceeding £1 million undertaken in each year since 1997, stating (a) when the decision was made to go ahead with the project, (b) the political control of the LEA, (c) the cost of the works and (d) the constituency within which the school is located;
	(3)  if she will list by LEA the newly constructed schools opened in each year since 1997, stating (a) when the decision was made to construct the school, (b) the political control of the local education authority, (c) the cost of the buildings and (d) the constituency in which the school is located.

John Healey: We do not hold information in the form requested. Much capital support is allocated to local education authorities and schools on a formulaic basis. Records of how it is utilised for specific projects are held locally.

Demountable Classrooms

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many demountable classrooms there are in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and where they are.

John Healey: As part of the data collected through the appraisal of Asset Management Plans, the Department has some information on the overall area of temporary buildings at schools, but it is not possible from these data to identify with any precision the number of demountable classrooms within individual authorities.
	The data we have on temporary buildings will be appraised with a view to publishing analysis to support benchmarking later this year.

Education Maintenance Allowances

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of pupils in receipt of education maintenance allowances attend (a) selective and (b) non-selective schools in each authority where they are paid.

Ivan Lewis: We do not require local education authorities, who administer the pilot EMA schemes, to collect this information. EMA is targeted at eligible young people irrespective of what type of school or college they attend.

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for PPP contracts let by her Department in each of the last four years; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The final contract price for Capita to deliver the Connexions Card project was £109.7 million over seven years. The details of the various bidding stages during contractual negotiations are commercial in confidence.

Physical Education

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her latest estimate is of the number of schools providing two hours of sport and PE during the school day each week.

Ivan Lewis: The national curriculum for PE includes an aspiration that all schools should offer two hours physical activity a week. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's PE and School Sport Project has found that with imaginative and flexible timetabling schools can and do provide two hours of high quality PE and school sport per week. All of the schools involved in the project are doing this. Our White Paper "Schools: achieving success" gives a commitment that all children will be entitled to two hours of high quality PE and school sport a week, within and outside the curriculum.

14 to 19 Education

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how she plans to involve young people in the consultation on the Government's plans for the education of those aged 14 to 19; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: We recognise the need to take full account of the views of young people on the 14–19 reforms and, for the first time ever, we have produced a version of the Green Paper specifically for them.
	Copies of this have been distributed to members of the UK Youth Parliament and, through the British Youth Council, to Youth Councils around the country. Sample copies will also be distributed to schools, FE sector colleges and LEAs with encouragement for teachers to engage young people in the consultation process in guided PSHE and citizenship sessions or through student councils.
	Events will also be organised for a wide cross-section of young people through local Connexions Partnerships. We are also inviting the UK Youth Parliament and the British Youth Council to consider the proposals and respond and Ministers are discussing the proposals with groups of young people during ministerial visits.
	We have also placed the Green Paper online on the DfES young people's gateway at www.dfes.gov.uk/ youngpeople and advertised on websites popular with young people.

School Playing Fields

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures her Department has taken to prevent the selling of school playing fields.

John Healey: Before October 1998, there was nothing to prevent a local authority selling a school playing field if it wanted to. As a result of widespread public concern, section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 was introduced in October 1998 to stop the indiscriminate sale of school playing fields. Local authorities and governing bodies of all maintained schools are now required to obtain the Secretary of State's consent before they can sell any part of a playing field.
	Applications to sell school playing fields are assessed against the following criteria:
	a. schools' needs: that playing field provision and curriculum requirements at the school selling the playing field, and at other schools in the local area, will be met;
	b. community needs: that community use of a school's playing fields is taken into account, with alternative facilities made available if necessary;
	c. finance: that the sale proceeds are re-invested to provide new or improved sports facilities at schools, or are used to help to raise standards by providing better educational facilities.
	The criteria are set out in the Department's Guidance 0580/2001: "The Protection of School Playing Fields and Land for City Academies". Only those applications that meet the criteria are approved. Furthermore, since July 2001, all applications have been scrutinised by the independent School Playing Fields Advisory Panel to make sure that they conform to the published criteria. The Panel comprises representatives from the National Playing Fields Association, the Central Council of Physical Recreation, the education organisation Learning through Landscapes, the National Association of Head Teachers and the Local Government Association.

Teachers

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many full-time equivalent teachers there were in maintained (a) nursery, (b) primary and (c) secondary schools in January 2001; and how many there were in 1984.

Stephen Timms: The numbers of regular full-time equivalent teachers in the maintained sector in England were as follows:
	
		
			   January 1984 January 2001 
		
		
			 Nursery 1,600 1,600 
			 Primary 171,200 193,400 
			 Secondary 224,200 196,700 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. 1984 secondary numbers exclude estimated sixth form college numbers.
	2. Part-time teachers have been converted to an estimate of their full-time equivalence and added to full-time numbers.
	3. Excludes occasional teachers.
	4. Teachers whose service is divided between primary and secondary schools have been apportioned pro-rata to the nursery/ primary or secondary phase.

Teachers

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers left the profession in the latest period for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: In the year to 31 March 2000, the latest for which data are available, 34,900 qualified teachers left full-time or part-time regular service in the maintained schools sector in England for reasons including retirement. Over the same period, there were 36,300 new entrants or re-entrants to the maintained schools sector in England. These data are provisional.

Teachers

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the teaching work force in schools in England supply teachers comprise.

Stephen Timms: The information is not available in the form requested. Occasional teachers employed on contracts of less than one month and who worked for the whole of the survey date, comprised 4.6 per cent. of the total full-time equivalent number of teachers working in maintained schools in England on 18 January 2001.

School Governors

Wayne David: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to encourage people to become school governors.

Stephen Timms: The Department continues to support and provide guidance to local education authorities (LEAs) in England and we are devising a programme to support school-led governor recruitment. We fund the School Governors' One-Stop Shop to recruit governors with business and management skills in areas covered by the Excellence in Cities programme. As part of our commitment to encourage recruitment of school governors from minority ethnic backgrounds, the Department supports the activities of the Collective of Bangladeshi School Governors that promotes governorship to minority ethnic communities in Newham, Tower Hamlets and Hackney.

Science and Engineering Courses

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she plans to provide incentives for colleges and universities to provide science and engineering courses;
	(2)  if she plans to provide incentives for students studying science and engineering at Higher National and degree level.

Margaret Hodge: The Higher Education Funding Council for England takes into account the higher cost of teaching science and engineering subjects in making grant allocations to higher education institutions, but the Government have no plans to introduce incentives for institutions to provide science and engineering courses, nor for students to take them.

University Funding

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the submission to SR 2002 on university funding by Universities UK.

Margaret Hodge: The Government have carefully considered the representations on the financial needs of higher education from Universities UK, and from a number of other bodies. The outcome of the 2002 spending review will be announced in the summer.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which public service agreement targets that are scheduled to be met in 2002 will not be achieved by the due date.

Ivan Lewis: Information about progress on PSA targets will be published in the Department's 2002 departmental report, which is due to be published in May.

Airline and Aerospace Industries

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in respect of retraining needs in the airline and aerospace industries; what budgets she has made available to assist with such retraining; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Brown: holding answer 23 January 2002
	I have been asked to reply.
	The airline and aerospace industries have been affected by a number of closures and job losses in recent months. The Government have been proactive in working, in regional and local partnerships, to support those people affected by providing the most appropriate service to help them back into work and to retrain them where necessary.
	Retraining opportunities are offered to people who have been made redundant through Work Based Learning for Adults. In addition, Rapid Response Funding has recently been approved to retrain individuals made redundant from BAe Systems in the north-west and Gill Aviation in the north-east. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) are also offering support—for example, at Gatwick and Heathrow LSC funding has been provided for one to one advice sessions for clients facing particular employment problems, and to support their training needs.

Student Loans

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to her answer of 11 March 2002, Official Report, columns 764–70W, to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins), if she will break down the figures for Blackpool (a) by part-time and full-time students and (b) by age of student.

Margaret Hodge: The previous figures shown for Blackpool in the answer of 11 March were all full-time, apart from two students on part-time initial teacher training courses; the level of fee support received by these two students is unknown.
	Data on age breakdown as requested are not available.

Medical Schools

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students in medical schools in the UK there were who had been educated at (a) state schools and (b) independent schools in each of the last five years.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 14 March 2002
	The latest available information is shown in the table.
	
		Accepted applicants to pre-clinical medical courses in the UK by previous educational establishment—UK domiciled students
		
			  Year of entry  
			 Previous school type 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Maintained(28) 1,787 1,937 2,023 2,078 2,308 
			 Independent 1,777 1,720 1,747 1,796 1,759 
			 FE/HE institutions 588 585 594 691 771 
			 Other 82 9 14 22 19 
			 Not known 343 432 493 642 818 
			  
			 Total 4,577 4,683 4,871 5,229 5,675 
		
	
	(28) Including former grant maintained schools.
	Source:
	Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Language Statistics

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the proportion of people in England who speak a second language; and what recent research she has commissioned on comparisons with other EU states.

Margaret Hodge: As part of its support for the European Year of Languages, the European Commission carried out a survey of the languages spoken in the 15 member states of the European Union in April 2001. The survey, "Eurobarometer 54", indicated that 34 per cent. of the UK sample is able to speak another EU language.
	Our long-term language strategy, which we plan to publish in the autumn, will outline our proposals to widen the opportunities for language learning in this country. In particular, it is our ambition that all primary school children will be entitled to study languages by 2012.

Illiteracy

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the level of illiteracy is (a) in coalfield areas and (b) of citizens born in the United Kingdom.

John Healey: The table shows estimated literacy levels in the main coalfield districts (those districts with more than three 'coalfield wards').
	
		
			  District name Literacy levels(29)  District name Literacy levels(29) 
		
		
			 Dover 23.9 Selby 22.3 
			 Cannock Chase 25.6 Barnsley 28.3 
			 Lichfield 21.0 Doncaster 27.2 
			 Newcastle-under-Lyme 25.1 Rotherham 27.5 
			 Staffordshire Moorlands 23.0 Sheffield 25.8 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 27.6 Calderdale 26.3 
			 Tamworth 26.7 Salford 27.6 
			 North Warwickshire 23.2 Wakefield 26.8 
			 Nuneaton and Bedworth 26.0 Wigan 25.9 
			 Amber Valley 25.0 St. Helens 26.4 
			 Bolsover 27.6 Middlesborough 28.9 
			 Chesterfield 26.2 Chester-le-Street 25.3 
			 Erewash 24.3 Derwentside 27.4 
			 North East Derbyshire 23.7 Durham 27.4 
			 South Derbyshire 22.1 Easington 30.4 
			 Hinckley and Bosworth 22.3 Alnwick 26.2 
			 North West Leicestershire 24.1 Blyth Valley 26.6 
			 Ashfield 27.0 Castle Morpeth 21.3 
			 Bassetlaw 24.4 Newcastle upon Tyne 25.8 
			 Broxtowe 22.3 Wansbeck 29.1 
			 Gedling 22.2 South Tyneside 29.0 
			 Mansfield 26.6 Sunderland 28.8 
			 Newark and Sherwood 24.0 — — 
		
	
	(29) Percentage of population with 'low', 'lower' or 'very low' literacy.
	Note:
	National average equals 24 per cent.
	Data at ward level is available as a searchable database on the Basic Skills Agency website at "www.basic-skills.co.uk/datasite/", which also contains data by Parliamentary Constituency and by local Learning and Skills Council area.
	The most detailed survey of basic skills in Britain is "Adult Literacy in Britain", published in 1997. This reported that 23 per cent. of the population had low levels of literacy. 15 per cent. of those with low levels of literacy did not speak English as a first language and may not have been born in the UK. This equates to around 1 million of the 7 million adults in England with poor literacy skills.

Higher Education

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many higher education institutions are situated in coalfield constituencies.

Margaret Hodge: The higher education institutions located in constituencies containing coalfield areas are listed in the table.
	
		
			 HE institution  Constituency 
		
		
			 University of Kent Canterbury 
			 Christ Church College Canterbury 
			 University of Durham City of Durham 
			 University of Teesside Middlesbrough 
			 University of Newcastle Newcastle upon Tyne, Central 
			 University of Northumbria Newcastle upon Tyne, Central 
			 University of Keele Newcastle-under-Lyme 
			 University of Salford Salford 
			 University of York Selby 
			 Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield, Central 
			 University of Sunderland Sunderland, South 
			 University of Leeds (Bretton Hall) Wakefield

Energy Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on energy costs incurred by her Department in each of the last 10 years.

Ivan Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs on 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 268W.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Literacy

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the literacy levels are of long- term unemployed people in (a) coalfield areas and (b) England.

Nick Brown: Statistics relating to the literacy levels of the long-term unemployed in England are not available. However, we estimate that around one third of unemployed people have literacy and/or numeracy skills below Level 1 (the level expected of an 11-year-old) in England) 1 .
	No separate information is available for literacy levels among long-term unemployed people in coalfield areas, although we do have information on overall literacy levels in these areas.
	We are committed to improving the literacy and numeracy of unemployed people so they have the skills they need to find and stay in work. In September 2001 we began piloting alternative ways of encouraging people claiming jobseeker's allowance to take up offers of help with their literacy and numeracy skills. One of these pilots is in my hon. Friend's constituency.
	 1 Source—"Skills for Life: the National Strategy for Improving Adult Literacy and Numeracy Skills" (March 2000).

Empty Properties

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total area in square feet of all empty properties owned by (a) his Department, (b) his agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he has had responsibility was in each year since May 1997.

Nick Brown: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 from the former Department for Social Security and parts of the Department for Education and Employment.
	Statistics relating to empty properties owned by the new Department are not yet available for the current financial year (2001–02).

Health and Safety (Computers)

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employees in his Department who regularly use computers have taken up the provision of a free eye test; and how this service is advertised to (a) current and (b) new staff.

Nick Brown: Currently different arrangements for testing eye health apply to staff employed in the former Department of Social Security and those employed in the Employment Service.
	In May 2001 the Department of Social Security contracted with a company of ophthalmic opticians to provide staff with free eye tests at intervals of not less than two years. Between 1 May 2001 and 31 January 2002 (which is the latest month for which statistics are available) a total of 13,888 staff had their eyes tested under this contract. We estimate that by the end of the first year of the contract, on 30 April 2002, around 18,500 staff would have benefited from the service.
	The availability of free eye tests in the former Department of Social Security is publicised on the Department's "Intranet" computer system and was brought to the attention of staff through a circular which was distributed widely. New staff are provided with information about the service as part of the standard induction programme. In addition, local managers are required to nominate an eye care liaison officer whose responsibility is to publicise the availability of the service, using posters and leaflets, prior to an optician visiting an office of the Department.
	The Employment Service (which was up to July 2001 part of the former Department for Education and Employment) does not have a contract with an external eye care specialist. Instead staff are able to arrange their own eye tests with an optician of their choice and to have the cost reimbursed. Between 1 April 2001 and 31 January 2002 a total of 2,030 staff had their eyes tested at the Agency's expense.
	The Employment Service provides new staff with a "Workstation Guide" leaflet and a video entitled "In Your Own Interests" is shown to all staff. Both of these highlight the provision of eye tests. In addition, eye tests are covered in the Health and Safety Guide which is available on the Employment Service's computerised communication system. Work station assessment forms are also completed by staff at six monthly intervals or following a work station change. These too highlight the provision of eye tests.
	We intend to gradually extend the provisions of the former Department of Social Security's contract to all staff in the Department for Work and Pensions from April 2002. This will mean that in future all staff should have the opportunity to have their eyes tested free of charge in their places of work.

Parental Leave Directive

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the (a) financial costs and (b) benefits to his Department of the parental leave directive.

Nick Brown: Parental leave is unpaid and therefore incurs no direct financial cost. We do not keep records of the opportunity or indirect cost of staff taking parental leave. Information obtained from our payroll systems shows that during the period 1 March 2001 to 28 February 2001, staff in DWP took a total of 2,075 days parental leave.
	We cannot quantify the specific benefits to the Department provided by the parental leave directive because it is only one part of a wide range of family- friendly policies provided by the Department. Benefits to the Department include increased labour supply, reduced turnover and a higher commitment from staff while enabling them to achieve a better balance between their home and working lives.

Automated Credit Transfer

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefits claimants have moved to a system of automated credit transfer in each year since the service has been available.

Malcolm Wicks: Information on the number of customers moving to automated credit transfer (ACT) each year since ACT became a method of payment is not available in the precise format requested. However, we do collect information on the number of benefit recipients being paid by ACT and this is given in the table.
	As the table shows, the number of customers paid by ACT increased by 800,000 in 2001. This shows that the status quo is not an option, because people are already voting with their feet.
	
		
			  Number of benefit recipients receiving their benefit by ACT 
		
		
			 1993 5,166,000 
			 1994 5,852,000 
			 1995 7,084,000 
			 1996(30) 7,508,000 
			 1997 8,005,000 
			 1998(31) 8,691,000 
			 1999 9,180,000 
			 2000(32) 10,213,000 
			 2001 11,015,000 
		
	
	(30) Includes industrial injuries disablement benefit from June 1996
	(31) Includes invalid care allowance from June 1998
	(32) Includes guardian's allowance from June 2000
	Information is available from 1993 on the number of customers being paid by ACT with the exception of customers in receipt of jobseeker's allowance (for which data is not available). The table reflects the number of benefit recipients being paid by ACT. The figures include customers receiving payment by ACT for the first time as well as those moving from paper based methods of payment to ACT.

Universal Bank

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what funding the Government have secured from the main lending banks in order to finance the Universal Bank project.

Malcolm Wicks: The main UK high street banks and the Nationwide Building Society have together agreed to contribute a total of £180 million over five years towards the costs of the new Post Office Card Account. They have also agreed to make their basic bank accounts accessible through post offices.

Universal Bank

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many discussions he has had with the Post Office on the Universal bank;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the future of the Universal bank project.

Malcolm Wicks: Officials from the Department, together with Inland Revenue and Northern Ireland social security agency officials, meet with the Post Office on a regular basis. Contracts have now been signed between these Departments and the Post Office for the provision of the new post office card account.

Council Tax (Mentally Impaired People)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will extend the arrangement for a non-dependent deduction, relating to those who are severely mentally impaired, to council tax.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 11 March 2002
	Regulations already provide that deductions are not made from a person's council tax benefit where a non- dependant member of the household is severely mentally impaired as defined in schedule 1 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

Foster Carers

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received on the extension of home responsibilities protection to whole-time foster carers.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 26 February 2002
	We regularly receive representations on all aspects of state retirement pension entitlement from a variety of organisations and interested individuals.

Foster Carers

Jack Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if home responsibilities protection will be given to foster carers.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 27 February 2002
	Foster carers whose allowance contains a reward element may be liable for national insurance contributions on a self-employed basis. Where there is no liability, they may choose to pay voluntary contributions to assist in qualifying for state retirement pension. Foster carers who receive child benefit for their own children under aged 16 will be eligible for home responsibilities protection. We will keep these arrangements under review as we do with all rules relating to benefits.

Foster Carers

Jack Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what pension arrangement foster carers are entitled to; and if he will make a statement on support for those who give up work to care for foster children.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 27 February 2002
	Foster carers whose allowance contains a reward element may be liable to pay national insurance contributions as a self-employed person. Those who have no liability may choose to pay voluntary contributions to assist them to qualify for basic state retirement pension. Where a foster carer receives child benefit for a child of their own aged under 16, they will be eligible for home responsibilities protection. We will keep these arrangements under review as we do with all rules relating to benefits. Married women of pensionable age will be entitled to a retirement pension of 60 per cent. of their husband's entitlement when he reaches state pension age and makes a claim.

Housing and Council Tax Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to reform non- dependent deductions for housing benefit and council tax benefits.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 14 November 2001, Official Report, column 787W.

Housing and Council Tax Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the specific measures were of the direction issued to Hackney Council for the improvement of its administration of housing benefit and council tax benefit.

Malcolm Wicks: The housing benefit direction issued on 12 October 2001 to the London borough of Hackney, under section 15 of the Local Government Act 1999, required the authority to achieve the following:
	(a) clear its backlog of benefits work by 31 December 2001;
	(b) in completing this action, satisfy itself on an on-going basis that it was acting lawfully and properly by carrying out appropriate checks;
	(c) clear the backlog of work without adversely affecting the speed and accuracy of non-backlog housing benefit and council tax benefit work.
	A copy of the direction is available in the Library.

Home Responsibilities Protection

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are entitled to home responsibilities protection; and at what annual cost.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 26 February 2002
	Such information as is available is in the table. We cannot calculate an annual cost as this is dependent upon the individual's circumstances at pension age.
	
		Numbers of people of working age entitled to home responsibilities protection -- Thousand
		
			 Tax year Men Women Total 
		
		
			 1990–91 116 5,142 5,257 
			 1991–92 127 5,253 5,380 
			 1992–93 139 5,368 5,507 
			 1993–94 155 5,446 5,600 
			 1994–95 166 5,478 5,644 
			 1995–96 181 5,484 5,665 
			 1996–97 196 5,467 5,662 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are subject to sampling error.
	2. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand and are shown in thousands.
	3. These figures are the number of individuals entitled to HRP. They include those who have not used it to reduce the number of years needed for a full basic state retirement pension.
	4. 1996–97 figures are the latest available.
	Source:
	Figures are taken from the Lifetime Labour Market Database (LLMDB), which is a 1 per cent. sample from the National Insurance Recording System (NIRS).

Incapacity Benefit

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people were (a) unemployed and (b) claiming incapacity benefit in April in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what proportion of incapacity benefit claimants have returned to full-time employment in each of the last five years.

Nick Brown: holding answer 20 March 2002
	We are undertaking a fundamental overhaul of the welfare system, transforming it from a passive organisation paying out benefits to an active system that fights poverty, creates opportunity and helps people become self-sufficient and independent.
	Our new Jobcentre Plus service ensures that people making new or repeat claims to incapacity benefit have the opportunity of work-focused advice and support from a personal adviser so they can be helped to move into work when they are ready to do so.
	The available information is in the table.
	
		
			   Number of people unemployed Number of people claiming incapacity benefit 
		
		
			 May 1997 1,556,000 2,370,500 
			 May 1998 1,293,000 2,316,900 
			 May 1999 1,221,100 2,277,500 
			 May 2000 1,063,700 2,263,200 
			 May 2001 935,700 2,327,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. Incapacity benefit data are collected quarterly in May, August, November and February of each year.
	2. Incapacity benefit figures include national insurance credits only cases.
	3. From 13 April 1995 people of pension age were no longer able to claim incapacity benefit. Incapacity benefit recipients already over pension age could continue to receive incapacity benefit for up to five years after state pension age.
	4. Unemployment figures have been seasonally adjusted.
	5. Figures are for Great Britain.
	Sources:
	1. Office for National Statistics: count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits from Benefits Agency computer systems.
	2. Incapacity benefit figures are taken from 5 per cent. samples of the incapacity benefit computer system and exclude a small number of cases held clerically.
	Information on the number of people who have returned to full-time employment following a claim to incapacity benefit is not available.

Social Fund

Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what gross budget will be set for the discretionary Social Fund in 2002–03.

Malcolm Wicks: The discretionary Social Fund budget for 2002–03 will be £627 million. This represents an increase of £6.4 million over the total gross budget allocated in April 2001.
	As part of this allocation, the Community Care Grant budget will be increased by £5 million to £108 million. The loans budget will be £518 million, an increase of £1.4 million over that allocated in April 2001.
	£1 million will be retained centrally as a contingency reserve. For example, to provide additional help to Districts facing unexpected and unplanned expenditure.
	Further details of individual District budget allocations, and the basis on which these were made, have been placed in the Library.

Minimum Income Guarantee

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Stoke-on-Trent, North, (b) Staffordshire and (c) England he expects to have a guaranteed income of £98 per week from next April; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.
	The forecast number of claimants of the minimum income guarantee from April 2002 in England is 1,485,000.
	Nationally there are over 1.7 million pensioners claiming the MIG. By April 2002 a single pensioner will be at least £15 a week better off in real terms than in 1997 from the MIG rises. A pensioner couple will be well over £23 a week better off.

New Deal

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what targets he sets for (a) enrolment, (b) programme completion and (c) permanent employment for the New Deal for Disabled People; and if he will make a statement on the extent to which such targets have been achieved.

Nick Brown: holding answer 20 March 2002
	The New Deal for Disabled People is testing new and innovative ways of helping people on incapacity benefits into work. Although Job Brokers have provided indications of planned take-up, these are commercial in confidence. No targets have been set for enrolment, programme completion or permanent employment.

New Deal

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost per permanent job achieved by the New Deal for Disabled People has been since its full initiation.

Nick Brown: holding answer 20 March 2002
	Under the New Deal for Disabled People, sustained employment is defined as employment lasting six months or more. As the programme only became available nationally from July 2001, it is not yet possible to provide a meaningful figure for job placements resulting in sustained employment nor therefore a figure for the cost per sustained job achieved.

Older People

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what initiatives his Department has in place to encourage (a) organisations, (b) companies and (c) the civil service to employ people who are aged 50 years and over.

Nick Brown: Since 1997, this Government have consistently shown its commitment to employment opportunities for all regardless of age. For those over 50 there is a comprehensive range of back to work help including New Deal 50 plus. Government support has ensured that the employment rate for the over-50s has increased each year for the last four years. Through New Deal 50 plus alone, over 61,000 people so far have been helped back to work.
	We are vigorously promoting the benefits of recruiting, training and retaining older workers as part of our Age Positive campaign. We have already spoken to employers, employer organisations, employees and voluntary sector organisations about ways in which the message can be spread further. The Age Positive campaign is going from strength to strength, working to challenge ageist employment practices between now and the implementation of age legislation in 2006. The newest feature of the campaign is the Age Positive website (www.agepositive.gov.uk). It features guidance and good practice case studies for employers including our recent publication 'Good Practice in the Recruitment and Retention of Older Workers' which is also available in the Library.
	For small and medium sized employers, we have developed a model programme on the business benefits of age diversity and recruiting the over-50s. To date 20 workshops have been delivered across the country and we are looking to increase this in the coming months, extending to Scotland and Wales.
	The Department's Diversity and Equality statement makes an explicit commitment to non-discrimination on age grounds. We do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of their age when recruiting or promoting staff. We have also been working closely with the Cabinet Office to promote this approach across the civil service and have done so since the introduction of the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment, which we published in June 1999. The departmental retirement age for all staff below senior civil service was increased from 60 to 65 with effect from 1 April 2000. Staff have the choice to retire at any time between these ages.

Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will estimate the number of (a) people receiving and (b) pension providers issuing combined pension forecasts;
	(2)  if he will estimate the number of (a) employers and (b) pension providers who are providing information for the combined pension forecast.

Nick Brown: holding answer 14 March 2002
	To date, 33,662 customers have received a combined pension statement issued in partnership with four employers and three pension providers.
	Since its launch at the annual Pensions Show on 17 October 2001, the new service has received expressions of interest from 91 private or occupational pension providers who wish to take advantage of this new, voluntary service.
	These providers are progressing through the various stages involved in introducing the service to their customers, including the formal registration process, obtaining the required customer consent to exchange personal information with the Department and developing their IT systems to share data electronically.

Pensions

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate what proportion of (a) occupational pensions defined by benefit, (b) occupational pensions defined by contribution and (c) personal pensions provided for survivor benefits or joint life annuities; and what proportion of such pensions provide for indexation of pensions.

Nick Brown: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
	
		Numbers of active members of defined benefit schemes according to benefits payable on death after retirement -- Thousands
		
			  Private sector Public sector 
			 Benefit payable As of right under scheme rules At trustees' discretion As of right under scheme rules At trustees' discretion Total 
		
		
			 Pension to surviving spouse 4,810 220 4,100 — 9,130 
			 Pension to surviving children 3,090 600 4,100 — 7,790 
			 Pension to a divorced ex-spouse 200 1,680 600 160 2,640 
			 Pension to any nominated person 320 2,560 600 340 3,820 
			 Total active members of defined benefit schemes 5,140 — 4,100 — 9,240 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Schemes may be included under more than one category in the above table.
	2. The GAD survey did not include information on the number of defined contribution and personal pension in payment that provide for a survivor's pension as most of these schemes provide a lump sum on retirement with which the member buys a pension. It is then up to the member to choose whether or not the pension will provide for a survivor's pension. In a defined contribution scheme used to contract out of the state earnings related pension scheme (SERPS), that part of the pension deriving from the national insurance contribution rebate (the protected rights) must be used to purchase a pension providing for a survivor's pension where the member is married at the time the pension is purchased.
	3. The same rules apply to personal pensions. It is entirely a matter for the member to decide whether or not the pension provides for survivor's benefits except where the personal pension has been used to contract out of (SERPS). In these circumstances, that part of the pension fund comprising the protected rights, must be used to purchase a pension providing for a survivor's pension where the member is married at the time that the pension is purchased.
	4. All occupational pension schemes (both defined benefit and defined contribution) are subject to indexation. That part of the pension in payment that derives from pension rights built up from 6 April 1997 must be increased by the percentage increase in the retail price index, or 5 per cent, whichever is the lesser.
	5. With personal pensions only that part of the pension deriving from the protected rights is subject to indexation. It is up to the scheme member to decide whether or not the pension deriving from the excess of these rights is to be indexed.
	Source:
	Table 10.9 of the GAD Survey of Occupational Pension Schemes 1995

Pensions

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in each of the past 30 calendar years what was the (a) percentage ratio of current average earnings to the state basic retirement pension, (b) same percentage ratio to average state pension paid to individuals (excluding dependent spouses) and (c) same percentage ratio to mean income from state and occupational pension schemes.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 5 March 2002
	The information requested is in the tables.
	
		Average earnings as a percentage of full basic pension
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 September 1971 435 
			 October 1972 425 
			 October 1973 413 
			 July 1974 364 
			 April 1975 359 
			 November 1975 406 
			 November 1976 420 
			 November 1977 401 
			 November 1978 406 
			 November 1979 385 
			 November 1980 406 
			 November 1981 422 
			 November 1982 416 
			 November 1983 433 
			 November 1984 445 
			 November 1985 446 
			 July 1986 477 
			 April 1987 504 
			 April 1988 531 
			 April 1989 550 
			 April 1990 561 
			 April 1991 548 
			 April 1992 563 
			 April 1993 565 
			 April 1994 565 
			 April 1995 571 
			 April 1996 575 
			 April 1997 589 
			 April 1998 594 
			 April 1999 599 
			 April 2000 608 
			 April 2001 — 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Average earnings figure not yet available for April 2001.
	2. Figures for GB
	
		Average earnings as a percentage of average category A/AB -- pension paid
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 April 1995 608 
			 April 1996 612 
			 April 1997 626 
			 April 1998 633 
			 April 1999 638 
			 April 2000 648 
			 April 2001 - 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Average earnings figure not yet available for April 2001.
	2. Information on average amount of Category A pension paid is not available prior to April 1995.
	3. Taken from administrative data.
	4. Figures are for GB.
	
		Average earnings as a percentage of state and occupational pension schemes for pensioner units
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 April 1994 262.7 
			 April 1995 264.8 
			 April 1996 258.6 
			 April 1997 258.9 
			 April 1998 258.1 
			 April 1999 256.5 
			 April 2000 — 
			 April 2001 — 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figures are based statistics published in the Pensioner Income Series 1999–00.
	2. The definition of a pensioner unit is a single person over state pension age or a couple where the man is over state pension age.
	3. Data for years prior to 1994–5 would only be possible using the Family Expenditure Survey but this analysis is not readily available.
	4. Since parts (a) and (b) of this question are based on DWP administrative data on benefit receipt, part (c) is not directly comparable.
	5. Figures are for GB.

Pensions

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many employees in each of the last ten years were (a) participants in contracted-out funded pension schemes, (b) participants in contracted-in payments to the national insurance system and (c) outside either category.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 5 March 2002
	The information requested is not available. Such information as is available is in the table.
	
		Thousand 
		
			  Total number contracted-out Total number belonging to SERPS(33) Total number of workers not contracted-out or belonging to SERPS 
		
		
			 1991–92 14,931 6,471 2,356 
			 1992–93 14,849 6,327 2,064 
			 1993–94 14,659 6,555 2,816 
			 1994–95 14,566 7,115 1,357 
			 1995–96 14,817 7,496 922 
		
	
	(33) These include employees who are members of contracted-in occupational pension schemes. In his publication titled "Occupational Pension Schemes-1995", the Government Actuary estimated that in 1995, there were 1.3 million members of such schemes.
	Source:
	"Second Tier Pension Provision 1995–96" and "Labour Force Survey"—Department for Work and Pensions' Analytical Services Division

Pensions

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will change the practice of starting a pension from the Monday following a person's 60 or 65 birthday.

Nick Brown: Entitlement to Retirement Pension begins with the pay-day on or following the pensioner's 60 or 65 birthday. Changes in entitlement, for example a decrease because of a prolonged stay in hospital, also takes effect from the pay-day following the change in circumstances. The same rule applies with the termination of the award. The principle of paying Retirement Pension in whole weeks stems from the fact that the benefit is traditionally paid in advance.
	There are no plans to change the present arrangements for paying Retirement Pension.

Mobility Allowance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason medical checks in respect of mobility allowance are carried out on a person who has a medically confirmed condition that will not improve; and what plans there are to change this system.

Maria Eagle: Entitlement to the mobility component of disability living allowance is based on the effects of a disabling condition and not the condition itself. Even where a condition remains unchanged, the effect on a person's ability to walk, or the help they need from other people when out and about, can change over time for a number of reasons, including medical treatment, therapy, or how the person adapts to their disability.
	When considering entitlement to either care or mobility components of disability living allowance, the decision maker may request a report based on an examination by a specially trained Medical Services doctor. This is not primarily about diagnosis, but is intended to obtain an expert view of the disabling effects of the condition. The decision maker will consider this, along with any other evidence about their needs supplied by the disabled person, their medical attendants, carers or others with relevant information, to decide whether the relevant statutory provisions relating to entitlement are satisfied.
	There is a substantial programme of work to modernise the administration of disability living allowance. This includes work to ensure that medical evidence is utilised as efficiently as possible.

Mobility Allowance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on eligibility for mobility allowance.

Maria Eagle: Mobility allowance was replaced by the mobility component of disability living allowance in 1992. The mobility component, which comprises a lower rate and a higher rate, is primarily to help people who are severely disabled early in life.
	To qualify for the lower rate claimants must be aged five or over, and must be so severely disabled physically or mentally that they cannot take advantage of the faculty of walking out of doors without guidance or supervision from another person most of the time. To qualify for the higher rate claimants must be aged three or over, and must be so severely physically disabled that they are unable to walk or virtually unable to walk.
	Approximately 1.5 million severely disabled people currently receive the higher rate and some 0.5 million receive the lower rate of the mobility component.

Mobility Allowance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how often medical checks are carried out to ensure a person is still eligible for the mobility allowance.

Maria Eagle: The former mobility allowance is now the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance (DLA). Assessment of a DLA claimant's medical condition occurs at the time of the initial claim, and at any subsequent review of entitlement. A review normally occurs when a decision is being made on a renewal of benefit in the case of limited-period awards; or where the recipient themselves requests a review; or under the rolling programme of periodic review of long awards.

Jobcentre-Plus Offices

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many incidents of verbal abuse or damage to office equipment occurred in (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01 in branches of the Employment Service;
	(2)  how many incidents of verbal abuse or damage to office equipment occurred in (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01 in branches of the Benefits Agency.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 13 March 2002, Official Report, column 1118W.

Pension Service

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what advice on pensioner benefits will be available in Jobcentre Plus offices following the introduction of the Pension Service;
	(2)  if he will estimate the (a) number and (b) percentage of inquiries received by pension centres which will be outsourced;
	(3)  what plans he has to outsource (a) telephone, (b) e-mail and (c) postal inquiries made to pension centres;
	(4)  if he will estimate the average number of Pension Service staff in each local authority area who will offer (a) face-to-face non-home visits, (b) administrative support and (c) home visits; and if pensioners will have an entitlement to a home visit from Pension Service staff;
	(5)  if he will list the benefits and credits on which Pension Service staff will be trained to advise in (a) pension centres and (b) face-to-face contact sessions;
	(6)  what progress he has made in establishing partnership agreements with voluntary organisations that will deliver face-to-face advice on pensioner benefits;
	(7)  if he will estimate the average number of Pension Service staff who will offer face-to-face advice in each local authority area;
	(8)  pursuant to his answer of 4 March 2002, Official Report, column 15W, if pensioners will retain the right to face-to-face advice on pensions matters following the introduction of the proposed Pensions Service; and how such a right will be exercisable.

Nick Brown: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The Pension Service will offer an improved service for both today's and future pensioners. There are no plans to outsource customer inquiries.
	The new organisation, and in particular the local service will take time to build. In the mean time all of our current arrangements for face-to-face contact will continue to apply.
	In terms of the staff who will provide face-to-face advice, we are still determining precise numbers and the ratio of contact centre staff to local service staff. Final decisions have yet to be taken on where local service staff will be located. However numbers will reflect the needs of local communities and will not be assigned by local authority area.
	Staff will be trained to identify potential entitlement to other benefits and will refer customers on as appropriate.

Retirement Ages

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if the distinction between working and retirement ages constitutes the watershed between the respective responsibilities of the new Jobcentre Plus and Pensions Agency services; and what arrangements are being made to ensure that officers of either agency can handle client queries which do not fully match the division of administrative responsibilities.

Nick Brown: holding answer 20 March 2002
	The Pension Service and Jobcentre Plus will operate within a single Department.
	The Pension Service will offer an improved service for pensioners. It will be customer focused and will give pensioners a modern, personalised, efficient service designed to meet their needs. It will also provide information for future pensioners to help them make decisions about their future pension arrangements.
	Jobcentre Plus will provide work-focused benefit and other services to people of working age, and services such as New Deal 50 plus to people above retirement age who are looking for work.
	Arrangements will be in place between the agencies to cover specific cross-cutting issues, such as access to the social fund by people above retirement age, and access to the minimum income guarantee by men aged between 60 and 64. To ensure that levels of service are maintained, officials will be provided with contact details across both agencies, and in the Department's other businesses, to ensure that customers are dealing with the right part of the Department for the service they require regardless of the route by which they first approached it.

Accounting Standards

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the implementation, time scale and content of accounting standard FRS 17 and its effects on standard and final salary pension schemes.

Nick Brown: Accounting standards are a matter for the Accounting Standards Board which is independent of Government. There are many factors affecting occupational pension provision including longer life expectancy and falling stockmarkets. It is not possible to isolate the effects of FRS 17 from these other factors.

Legal Aid

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the re-introduction of legal aid in respect of civil claims for personal injuries and disease cases.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	The Access to Justice Act 1999 excludes most personal injury claims from the scope of Community Legal Service funding. However funding is still available for personal injury claims against public authorities which allege serious wrongdoing, such as child abuse claims and actions against the police. A personal injury claim may also be funded if it has a significant wider public interest. Support funding remains available for exceptionally expensive cases. Public funding is also available for clinical negligence cases, as we recognise that costly investigative work is necessary for these cases to be brought.
	We believe that conditional fee agreements provide a suitable alternative to public funding for those personal injury cases excluded from the scope of the Community Legal Service scheme, and we have no plans to re-introduce public funding for those cases.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Local Government

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list additional statutory obligations placed upon local authorities by the Government in each of the past five years.

Alan Whitehead: The information for all Departments is not held centrally. The main new duties placed on local authorities by my Department in the last five years include:
	Local Government Act 1999
	Duty of best value to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which they exercise their functions, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
	Greater London Authority Act 1999
	Duty on London borough councils and the common council of the City of London to have regard to the Mayor's transport strategy, municipal waste management strategy and London air quality strategy; and to consult the Mayor on their unitary development plan to ensure it is in general conformity with the Mayor's spatial development strategy.
	Local Government Act 2000
	Duty to consult, draw up proposals and implement new executive arrangements.
	Duty to hold a referendum on a directly elected mayor if their proposals involve a form of executive which includes a directly elected mayor, where a valid petition is submitted or the Secretary of State directs the authority.
	Duty to appoint an overview and scrutiny committee.
	Duty to prepare a community strategy.
	Duty to adopt a code of conduct within six months of the new model code coming into force.
	Duty to establish a standards committee.
	Duty to set up an independent remuneration panel to advise on their allowance scheme.
	Transport Act 2000
	Duty to prepare and keep under review a local transport plan, which includes a bus strategy, for their area.
	Duty to offer disabled residents and elderly people of state pension age a free pass entitling them to half fares on local bus services.
	Representation of the People Act 2001 and Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000
	Various duties, or changes to duties, in relation to local, parliamentary, and European parliamentary elections, including the registration of electors and the conduct of elections in their areas.
	Homelessness Act 2002
	Stronger duties to accommodate and assist homeless people.
	Duty on housing authorities to adopt a homelessness strategy every five years based on a homelessness review, and a duty on social services to co-operate in this on request.
	Duty on housing departments to co-operate with social services when dealing with homeless families with children.

Spring Supply Estimates

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on item (a) lxxxvi and (b) lxxxv on page 9 of the Spring Supply Estimates.

Alan Whitehead: Item (a) lxxxvi on page 9 of the Spring Supply Estimates provided for payments to and receipts from Railtrack plc (in administration) in accordance with the Loan Agreement and indemnities given under section 63 of the Railways Act 1993. Item (b) lxxxv on the same page of the Spring Supply Estimates relates to the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) transitional rebate scheme, which covered the period 1 December 2000 to 30 November 2001.

Press and Public Relations Staff

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many people were employed in a press or public relations function in his Department and its predecessor on 1 January in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000, (e) 2001 and (f) 2002.

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many staff in his Department's press office have received (a) termination and (b) redundancy payments in each of the last four years.

Alan Whitehead: I refer the hon. Members to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 220W.

Press and Public Relations Staff

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what involvement Ian Jones had in drafting the Department's press release of 15 February entitled Stephen Byers' statement on the resignations of Martin Sixsmith and Jo Moore.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 11 March 2002
	Under Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information it is not the practice to disclose details of internal discussions and advice.

Leak Inquiries

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many leak inquiries have been held in his Department and its predecessor in each of the last five years; and how many led to action against a member of staff.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 11 March 2002
	Four inquiries were undertaken in my Department and its predecessor in 1997–98, two in 1998–99, one in 1999–2000, three in 2000–01. None of these inquiries led to action against a member of staff. Two inquiries have been carried out this financial year. No action has been taken against any member of staff as a result of the first inquiry. Consideration is being given to whether action against any member of staff is appropriate as a result of the second inquiry.

Railways

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the total public and private investment, not including public resource expenditure, allocated for the railways to be spent over the period 2001 to 2011, at today's prices as at (a) 1 April 2001, (b) 2 April 2001, (c) 13 January 2002, (d) 14 January 2002, (e) 29 January 2002 and (f) the latest available date.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the updated version of table A3 from the Ten-Year Plan for Transport, copies of which were placed in the Libraries of the House on 25 February.
	Total capital investment in rail over the ten years to 31 March 2011 is estimated to be £52.9 billion (£18.6 billion public plus £34.3 billion private). This figure has increased from £49 billion in the original Ten-Year Plan to reflect the public sector funding increases since then. These figures are in cash prices, standard HM Treasury deflators should be used to translate into current prices.
	Rail funding over the period also includes £14.9 billion of public resource funding, of which £3 billion is estimated to be used as direct revenue support for the private investment. This £3 billion should be deducted when calculating the total level of public and private funding for rail to avoid double counting.

Railways

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 21W, how many meetings he has had with the Rail Regulator since 11 December 2001.

Stephen Byers: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State (Mr. Jamieson), to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) on Tuesday 11 December 2001, Official Report, column 789W.

Railways

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the route specific capacity utilisation strategies being developed by the SRA.

Stephen Byers: The SRA is currently developing one route specific capacity utilisation strategy in relation to the West Coast Main Line.

Railways

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent representations he has received from (a) the Strategic Rail Authority, (b) the Association of Train Operating Companies, (c) train operating companies, (d) the Rail Passenger Committee and (e) other passenger representatives regarding (i) rail fares and fare regulation and (ii) network railcards.

David Jamieson: The Association of Train Operating Companies informed Ministers and local MPs of their proposals for the network railcard. No other recent representations have been received on these subjects from industry organisations or passenger representatives.

Railways

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2002, Official Report, column 373W, on railway policy, what the changes in demand were to which his Department responded; and who within his Department was responsible for (a) assessing these changes and (b) reallocation of resources.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to my answers of 6 March 2002, Official Report, column 373W and 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 22W.

Rail Fares

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent changes (a) his Department and (b) the Strategic Rail Authority have made to (i) rail fare regulation and (ii) the regulation of network railcards; and what changes are planned.

David Jamieson: No recent changes have been made to rail fare regulation. Network railcards are not regulated. The issue of rail fares and fare regulation will be dealt with through the Strategic Rail Authority's review of fares policy.

Railtrack

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2002, Official Report, column 370W, on Railtrack, if he will list the variety of other organisations referred to.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport on 8 February 2002, Official Report, column 1188W.

Railtrack

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many meetings he has had with Ernst and Young as administrators of Railtrack since 1 January.

Stephen Byers: It is not the normal practice of the Government to release details of meetings or discussions with private individuals or companies.

Railtrack

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when Railtrack in administration will repay the money lent to it since going into administration.

John Spellar: holding answer 18 March 2002
	I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Lawrie Quinn) [ref. 45966].

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date the Railtrack administrator is expected to repay the moneys advanced under the commercial loan agreement.

Lawrie Quinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the current position of Railtrack plc in administration.

Stephen Byers: Following the European Commission's decision of 13 February 2002 to clear the package of financial assistance to Railtrack plc (in administration), the administrator has secured up to £4.4 billion of commercial banking facilities, backed by a Government guarantee. This is a clear demonstration of the willingness of the private sector to invest in the UK railway sector. It has enabled the administrator to repay, with interest, the £1.9 billion he has drawn down from the £2.1 billion short-term commercial loan that Government provided on 7 October 2001.

Railtrack

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Treasury on the tax treatment of share holdings in Railtrack.

Stephen Byers: My Department and the Treasury have had numerous discussions at a variety of levels in relation to Railtrack.

Railtrack

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much money has been (a) granted to, (b) lent to and (c) guaranteed for Railtrack since going into administration.

John Spellar: holding answer 18 March 2002
	I refer the right hon. Member to my answer of 12 March 2002, Official Report, column 917W.

Railtrack

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much the administration of Railtrack has cost the Government to date; and how much the Government have spent on (a) railway consultancy, (b) accountancy and (c) legal advice in the last five months.

John Spellar: holding answer 18 March 2002
	The total fees for the Administrator and his advisers were about £17.5million to the end of February 2002, which will be repaid when Railtrack comes out of administration. With regard to how much the Government have spent on railway consultancy, accountancy and legal advice, I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Transport to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) on 12 March 2002, Official Report, column 916W.

Tinsley Viaduct

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what analysis has been carried out of alternative routes for traffic using the Tinsley viaduct;
	(2)  how many (a) cars, motorbikes and vans, (b) lorries and (c) camper-vans and caravans used the Tinsley Viaduct each day in the last 12 months;
	(3)  if he will list the work carried out on the Tinsley Viaduct on the M1 in the last 30 years, in each case giving (a) the aim and nature of the works, (b) details of the Government body responsible, (c) the length of time the works took and (d) the costs of the works;
	(4)  what his estimate is of the change in the level of traffic on the Tinsley Viaduct on the M1 following the planned return to three lanes of traffic;
	(5)  what works are planned on the Tinsley Viaduct on the M1.

Stephen Byers: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Tim Matthews to Mrs. Theresa May, dated 25 March 2002
	The Secretary of State for Transport, Stephen Byers, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about Tinsley Viaduct on the M1. The Highways Agency has the responsibility for this structure.
	In addition to routine maintenance of the structure, major works were carried out between 1976 and 1980 to strengthen the structure following the report of the Merrison Committee into box girder bridges. The Viaduct has also been rewaterproofed and repainted during the 30 year period. Records are no longer available to enable me to provide details of the duration and costs of these works.
	The Highways Agency has recently awarded (a contract) to Edmund Nuttall to assess the extent of strengthening works needed to allow the viaduct to carry 3-lanes of traffic in each direction. This investigation started on 25 February and will take up to four months to complete. Decisions on what works are necessary, will be taken in the light of this investigation.
	Traffic data for the viaduct is not available in the form you requested. However we do have total vehicle numbers for the year 2000, the last twelve month period for which figures are available:
	These are:
	Cars, motorbikes and vans including camper vans and caravans—31,486,086
	Lorries—9,897,218
	These figures equate to Average Annual Daily Traffic flows of 86,263 (cars, motorbikes and vans) and 27,115 (lorries).
	Reinstating three traffic lanes in each direction is not expected to have any material effect on the volume of traffic using this section of the M1. The main benefit of restoring capacity will be the reduction of congestion at peak times. This will improve journey-time reliability and reduce accident risks associated with traffic queues on motorways.
	Several plans exist for diverting traffic onto alternative routes. They are applied in consultation with the police and depend upon the nature of the incident requiring a diversion. For example, local diversions from the top level of the Viaduct to the lower level, the A631, are used during periods of high winds and when accidents occur on the Viaduct. Wider diversions to direct traffic off the motorway at junctions in advance of the Viaduct are also available.
	When the Viaduct needs to be closed for roadworks, alternative traffic routes are agreed with the Local Highway Authorities. It is rarely necessary to close the Viaduct completely. Planned closures take place when traffic flows are reduced, usually at night.
	If you require any further information, our Group Leader Phil Stanton, will be happy to assist you. He can be contacted at the Agency's offices at Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester M14BE or by telephone on 0161 930 5688.

Heathrow

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with interested parties following the publication of the Inspector's report on Heathrow terminals on the development of rail links from Heathrow to the West.

Stephen Byers: I have made clear that I expect BAA to comply with their commitments to encourage the introduction and use of additional public transport services to Heathrow. The conditions of the Terminal 5 planning permission provide safeguarding measures for future rail links to and from the west of Heathrow. The SRA is continuing discussions with BAA on all options for improved rail links, including those west of Heathrow.

Rail Lines (Kent)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the SRA will announce the tender document for commuter trains on the new CTLR railway lines; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The SRA are currently working to a provisional timetable which envisages that the letting process would start in the summer with the publication of an OJEC notice inviting expressions of interest in delivering the domestic services, including the required rolling stock. This would be followed by the issue of an invitation to negotiate [ITN] in the autumn.

Rail Lines (Kent)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  when the SRA will publish the required electricity supply needs and costs for the London to Sittingbourne trains for the new 12 carriage 375 rolling stock with particular reference to requirements during the rush hour;
	(2)  what discussions Railtrack has had with Connex SE management since 1997 on increasing the power supply for the new class 375 rolling stock for the London to Sittingbourne line; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is working with the industry, including Connex and Railtrack to ensure all matters connected with the replacement of slam door rolling stock are carried out effectively. Their remit covers the London—Sittingbourne route and the enhancement to the power supply system will take into account the need to operate 12 car trains on this route.

West Coast Main Line

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the SRA's review of capacity utilisation on the West Coast Main Line will be published for consultation.

Stephen Byers: The Strategic Rail Authority began a review of the project's outputs last year. The outputs will be subject to approval by the Rail Regulator.

East London Line Extension

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of incorporating the Braithwaite viaduct in the East London Line extension; and when he expects to make an announcement on this matter.

David Jamieson: The Braithwaite viaduct is outside the limits of deviation established for the northern extension of the East London Line under its Transport and Works Order. London Underground Ltd. have no plans, or powers, to construct a railway on that alignment.
	Consequently, there is no possibility of the Braithwaite viaduct being incorporated in the East London Line project. LUL have not sought the removal of the Braithwaite viaduct, which is now listed as a Schedule II building, as it does not form part of the East London Line works at the Bishopsgate Goodsyard. London Underground will need to obtain Listed Building consent to demolish the structures adjacent to the Braithwaite.

Rail Freight

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what studies have been undertaken by his Department on the impact of rail freight terminals on local communities.

David Jamieson: Rail freight facilities are subject to approval under normal planning procedures, which take into account, among other things, the impact on the local environment.

Rail Freight

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the rail freight terminals located in the UK.

David Jamieson: A rail freight terminal may be any interface between rail freight services, other modes and storage facilities. They vary enormously in size and scope from a simple siding to a multi-user distribution park. Railtrack's 2001 Network Management Statement gives the number of freight facilities connected to its network, including closed sites and maintenance depots. Railtrack's website, www.freightcommercial.co.uk, contains a list of these facilities. I understand the information is also available from a commercial website, www.railfreightonline.com.

Rail Freight

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will estimate the level of freight transported by (a) road and (b) rail each year in the UK.

David Jamieson: Estimates are not made on an UK basis for both road and rail freight. The latest available comparative figures are for Great Britain in 2000:
	(a) road: 1,689 million tonnes lifted and 158 billion tonne-kilometres moved.
	(b) rail: 93 million tonnes lifted and 18 billion tonne-kilometres moved.

Central Railway Freight Line

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has received from the SRA regarding the (a) financial and (b) technical case for the proposed Central Railway freight line.

David Jamieson: Last year the Strategic Rail Authority provided Ministers with a high level financial and technical review of Central Railway's proposals. With the help of consultants and with the co-operation of Central Railway, the SRA are to carry out a further detailed assessment in order to further test key areas of the proposals. This is an essential piece of work if the Government are to be able to take an informed decision about Central Railway's request for a hybrid Bill. The SRA anticipates that the work will be completed by September.

Channel Tunnel Rail Freight

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with (a) the EU Transport Commissioner and (b) the French Transport Minister on the closure of the channel tunnel rail freight facilities;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the impact on his rail freight target of the closure of the Channel Tunnel rail freight facilities; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: The channel tunnel rail freight facilities have not closed.

West Somerset Railway Link

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will give financial help to the West Somerset Railway Link to the main line at Taunton.

David Jamieson: There are at present no plans to do so, although it is understood that proposals are being considered by Somerset county council in the context of its Local Transport Plan.

Strategic Rail Authority

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with the Strategic Rail Authority regarding the funding of multi-modal schemes;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the proposed future funding of multi-modal schemes through the Strategic Rail Authority.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority is working with my Department on the processes by which the study outcomes will be taken forward.

Strategic Rail Authority

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the SRA's capacity utilisation strategy will be published for consultation.

Stephen Byers: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) is planning to publish a draft Capacity Utilisation Strategy consultation document later this year.

British Transport Police

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the (a) operational and (b) target strength of the British Transport police in each BTP area was (i) in April 1997 and (ii) at the latest available date.

Stephen Byers: The British Transport police have provided me with the following information regarding operational and target strength in 1997 and 2002. In 1997 the force recorded target numbers according to rank rather than location.
	
		British Transport staff numbers
		
			  April 1997 March 2002  
			  Operational Target Operational Target 
		
		
			 Force HQ 114.00 — 109.00 112.00 
			 London North 323.50 — 308.00 315.00 
			 London South 296.00 — 308.05 315.00 
			 Midlands 164.75 — 168.00 177.00 
			 North East 203.00 — 189.10 195.10 
			 North West 285.75 — 258.30 267.00 
			 Scotland 195.00 — 203.40 202.40 
			 South West 135.00 — 128.08 135.28 
			 London Underground 415.35 — 430.00 420.00 
			  
			  2,132.35 2,177 2,101.93 2,138.78

British Transport Police

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what new arrangements the British Transport police are implementing to ensure that no individual case is acted on on the basis of an out-of-date arrest warrant; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The British Transport police (BTP) have advised that after completing their initial 15 weeks at a regional training centre recruits return to the BTP's Force Training Centre where they receive specialist training that includes the execution of arrest warrants. Further guidelines on warrants are also available internally to all BTP staff. A specialist eight-day course is also run for the BTP's Police National Computer (PNC) operators. This provides detailed knowledge on the PNC and includes procedures relating to arrest warrants.

British Transport Police

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many Transport police were employed in each of the last five years.

David Jamieson: The British Transport police have provided me with the following information:
	
		
			  Number of officers (full time equivalents) 
		
		
			 1997 2,132 
			 1998 2,095 
			 1999 2,106 
			 2000 2,073 
			 2001 2,101

Passenger Transport

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether he intends to establish value for money criteria for allowances paid to PTA members.

Sally Keeble: Remuneration for PTA members under the Local Government Act 1972 and Local Government and Housing Act 1989 are entirely a matter for local determination.

Transport Delays

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent (a) assessment he has made and (b) research he has commissioned into the cost, in terms of customer and business time and financial impact, of transport delays.

David Jamieson: The 10-year Plan for Transport made estimates of the amount of time lost on English roads as a result of delays due to congestion in 2000. The Plan made forecasts for 2010 of the increase in congestion and of the extent to which the policies in the Plan would reduce this rise in congestion.
	A number of external estimates have also been made of the value road users might place on the elimination of congestion. These use different methods and therefore produce different results, but they all agree that this value runs to billions of pounds per annum.
	Neither these external estimates, nor those undertaken by my Department, can be translated directly into assessments of the cost of congestion to business or more widely. This is because they relate only to the amount of time road users lose to congestion and the value of this time to them. They take no account of the costs of implementing the policies or schemes needed to reduce the amount of time lost. The true costs of congestion are therefore the economic and other benefits forgone if we do not tackle it.
	We shall be doing further work in this area, the lessons from which we will take into account as part of our Review of the 10 year-Plan which we intend to publish in July.

Transport Costs

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment has been made of (a) past and (b) likely future scenarios of changes in the cost of different modes of transport in the UK to (i) individuals and (ii) households.

David Jamieson: The most recent published data on past trends in transport costs can be found in "Transport Statistics Great Britain 2001" (tables 1.15 and 1.25) and "Transport Trends 2001" (pages 23 and 41).
	Chapter 9 of "Transport 2010", the Government's 10-year plan for transport, contains some general analysis of future transport costs, including illustrative scenarios and their potential impacts. More detail on these scenarios and on the assumptions underlying the 10-year plan is contained in the companion "Background Analysis" document.

Airport Security

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to reply to the letter of 19 November 2001 from the hon. Member for Leominster, concerning airport and baggage security.

John Spellar: I replied to the hon. Member's letter on 18 December 2001.

Social Housing

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many (a) local authority dwellings and (b) dwellings owned by registered social landlords (i) were not of a decent standard on 1 April 2001, (ii) will have been brought up to a decent standard by 1 April 2002, and (iii) will not meet the decent standard on 1 April 2002.

Sally Keeble: We estimate that 1.7 million social homes did not meet the decent home standard at April 2001—about 1.2 million homes local authority homes and 500,000 homes owned by housing associations. These estimates will be updated later this year when the 2001 English House Condition Survey results are available.
	Local authorities have plans to reduce their non-decent stock by 12 per cent. between April 2001 and March 2002. This is through a combination of investment in the housing they own and through transfer to housing associations. We do not yet have equivalent figures for dwellings owned by housing associations. The Housing Corporation is working with associations to ensure the 2004 target is met.

Social Housing

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his estimate is of the cost of (a) reducing the number of social dwellings that are not up to a decent standard by one third in the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2004 and (b) reducing the number of social dwellings that are not up to a decent standard by 50 per cent. in the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2006.

Sally Keeble: At present we only have estimates for the costs associated with local authority stock. The estimated costs of tackling the capital works outlined above are about £9.5 billion by 2004.
	The cost of reducing the number of non-decent homes by one third by 2004 depends on three factors:
	(a) the cost of dealing with those dwellings identified as non-decent at April 2001
	(b) the cost of making homes decent that fall below this standard between 2001 and 2004
	(c) the cost of preventing homes becoming non-decent during the period.
	The reduction of non-decent homes in the local authority sector will be achieved through a combination of investment in the local authority stock (through retention, transfer to Arms Length Management Organisations and via resources secured through Private Finance Initiative) and transfer of stock to housing associations.
	Currently, no target has been set for the improvement required by 2006. A reduction of 50 per cent. in the number of non-decent LA homes would require investment of about £15 billion, through a combination of investment by local authorities and transfer.

Social Housing

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make it his policy to require local authority housing investment programme returns to record the number of homes which (a) are and (b) are not of a decent standard on the same criteria as set out in the comprehensive spending review.

Sally Keeble: Local authorities are already required to provide information on their stock in their Housing Revenue Account business plans, which is part of the Housing Investment Programme.

Social Housing

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  how many local authority properties released for letting as a result of the cash incentive scheme in each Government office region in England in each of the past four years were (a) bedsits, (b) one-bedroomed , (c) two-bedroomed, (d) three-bedroomed, (e) four-bedroomed and (f) five- bedroomed or more;
	(2)  how many local authority tenants in each Government office in England have applied for a cash incentive scheme grant in each year since 1997–98; and how many of those (a) were offered a grant and (b) used a grant to purchase a property on the open market;
	(3)  what was the total value of cash incentive scheme grants made to local authority tenants in each Government office region in England in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and 2000–01.

Sally Keeble: Information on the numbers and amounts of Cash Incentive Scheme grants made is given in the table. Data are not collected centrally on grant offers made or the types of properties released.
	
		Cash incentive scheme grants made 1997–98 to 2000–01
		
			   1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			  Total number of grants made  
			 North East 72 17 — — 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 98 90 18 6 
			 East Midlands 280 278 177 12 
			 East of England 311 287 120 89 
			 London 2,138 1,374 630 403 
			 South East 614 420 195 95 
			 South West 332 256 94 61 
			 West Midlands 372 174 52 35 
			 North West 480 224 15 5 
			 England 4,697 3,120 1,301 706 
			  
			  Total amounts paid (£ million)  
			 North East 0.4 0.1 - - 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 0.5 0.5 0.1 - 
			 East Midlands 1.6 1.6 0.3 - 
			 East of England 4.7 3.0 0.9 0.6 
			 London 35.7 23.4 8.4 8.4 
			 South East 7.6 5.2 2.6 1.4 
			 South West 2.7 2.1 0.6 0.4 
			 West Midlands 3.1 1.5 0.1 0.1 
			 North West 3.0 1.7 0.1 — 
			 England 59.3 39.1 13.2 11.0 
		
	
	Sources:
	1997–98 and 1998–99—CIS monitoring returns
	1999–2000 and 2000–01—Housing Investment Programme returns

Social Housing

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many non-decent social dwellings there are in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland.

Sally Keeble: We estimate that 1.7 million households lived in non-decent social sector dwellings in 2001. This estimate will be updated later this year when the 2001 English House Condition Survey results are available.
	The decent home standard applies to housing in England—different standards are used in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Social Housing

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) of 12 December 2001, Official Report, column 871W, on rents, if he will provide similar estimates for the real terms percentage changes in each year he predicts for formula rents for council tenants in each local council in England until 2011.

Sally Keeble: As I said in my earlier answer to the hon. Member, Official Report, column 1004W, the underlying increase in 'formula' rents will be the same for all local authorities.
	It is possible to make estimates of how average 'actual' rents might change in real terms between 2001–02 and 2011–12 if the national average local authority formula rent were to increase by an average of about 1.5 per cent. per year, and each local authority were to move its actual average rent to its average formula rent over that period (ignoring the impact of rent caps and the limit on annual rent changes for individual tenants). This was the basis of the figures given to the hon. Member for Hendon on 12 December. I am placing in the Libraries a table giving equivalent figures for all authorities on the same basis.
	I must, however, emphasise once more that these figures are only estimates based on a number of assumptions. Ultimately the level of 'actual' local authority rents over the next ten years will depend, among other things, on the outcomes of future spending reviews and the decisions taken by individual local authorities.

Right to Buy

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of increasing the maximum cash incentive scheme grant available in London to a level (a) equal to the maximum right to buy discount available in London and (b) 25 per cent. higher than the maximum right to buy discount in London.

Sally Keeble: No recent assessment has been made of the impact of increasing the limits on maximum Cash Incentive Scheme grants.

Rate Relief Scheme

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how increased charges to those businesses that will not qualify for assistance under the proposed rate relief scheme in the Government's Strong Local Leadership-Quality Public Services White Paper, will be implemented; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: The White Paper proposed a rate relief scheme for small businesses, funded through a small supplement of no more than 2.5 per cent. on the bills of ratepayers not receiving the relief. The scheme will require primary legislation to allow for the relief and to allow for the small upward adjustment in the national rate poundage that will apply to those not receiving relief. The timing of this legislation depends on the availability of parliamentary time.

Homelessness

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many families were living in bed and breakfast accommodation, broken down by (a) constituency and (b) local authority.

Sally Keeble: holding answer 21 March 2002
	Available information reported by local authorities in England on the number of households accommodated in bed and breakfast hotels under statutory homelessness provisions on 31 December 2001, has been placed in the Libraries of the House. Information is collected at local authority level only.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently announced a new commitment to ensure that by March 2004 no family with children will be placed in bed and breakfast other than in an emergency. This was accompanied by changes in housing benefit subsidies to make leasing self-contained temporary accommodation more cost effective, and an additional £35 million from DTLR to help local authorities find alternatives to bed and breakfast.

Rough Sleepers

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the number of rough sleepers in (a) Leeds and (b) West Yorkshire at the latest available date.

Sally Keeble: Tables showing the local authority HIP estimates and results of street counts for 1998, 1999, 2000 and the latest figures for 2001 were placed in House Libraries on 11 December 2001, Official Report, columns 797–98W. Local authorities not listed in the tables for those years submitted either an estimate of 0–10 or no estimate in their HIP returns.

Queen's Jubilee

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much the Department has spent on the Queen's Jubilee in each of the past three years; how the money was allocated; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: Over the past year the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions has been fully involved in the preparations for the Golden Jubilee. As these costs have been absorbed in the general running of the Department, it is not possible to state what these costs have been.

Staff (Locally Elected Representatives)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many members of staff at his Department are locally elected democratic representatives; and if he has a strategy for his Department to encourage members of staff to become locally elected democratic representatives.

Alan Whitehead: The DTLR does not keep a centralised record of those members of staff who are locally elected democratic representatives.
	My Department supports members of staff who wish to take part in all local democratic processes, although some staff are precluded from certain activities due to the nature of their positions.

Abandoned Cars

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to make a statement on the outcome of the consultation on abandoned cars.

David Jamieson: My right hon. Friend expects to make an announcement shortly.

Neighbourhood Management Programme

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the Government plans to announce a further round of funding under the Neighbourhood Management Programme; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: The Government do intend to announce a further round of funding under the Neighbourhood Management programme. We are keen to learn early lessons from the first round of Pathfinders to help shape our approach in a second round. My Department is developing options for taking this forward, and I hope to be able to announce details of a further round by late spring/early summer.

Marine and Port Safety

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on changes to the safety bodies responsible for (a) marine and (b) port safety issues since June 2001.

David Jamieson: There have been no such changes.

Marine and Port Safety

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with (a) Humber pilots and (b) Associated British Ports since 12 December 2001 regarding pilotage on the River Humber.

David Jamieson: Officials have maintained regular contact with ABP in order to confirm the assurances which they have given us that the safe operation of the Humber ports will not be affected by a dispute with their former pilots. Officials last met representatives of the former pilots at the end of January when the former Chairman and Secretary of Humber Pilots Ltd. called shortly before giving up these positions. The Department has since had two exchanges of correspondence with the acting Chairman.

Marine and Port Safety

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions by what mechanism his Department (a) implements and (b) monitors marine organisations and companies against the Port Marine Safety Code.

David Jamieson: The Port Marine Safety Code applies to statutory harbour authorities, some of which are companies—others are trusts and local authorities. The code required participating authorities to complete implementation by the end of 2001, and the Department has commenced a review of this work which will run to the end of 2002.

Marine and Port Safety

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of changes to the nature of pilotage since 12 December 2001.

David Jamieson: A new pilotage service was introduced on the Humber on 12 December when the former pilots went on strike. My Department has closely monitored the new arrangements and I hope to be in a position to place in the Library a copy of a report of that work.

Marine and Port Safety

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received since 12 December 2001 from (a) Humber pilots and (b) Associated British Ports regarding (i) pilotage on the River Humber and (ii) other issues.

David Jamieson: Associated British Ports have provided regular reports to confirm the assurances which they have given us that the safe operation of the Humber ports will not be affected by a dispute with their former pilots. Former Humber pilots and others—mainly pilots in other ports—have made various representations.

Marine and Port Safety

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what role his Department has played in negotiations between the Humber pilots and the Associated British Ports regarding the Humber pilots dispute.

David Jamieson: None.

Research

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether reports published by his Department from research conducted for his Department may be (a) materially altered and (b) edited from the original documentation supplied to the Department before publication.

David Jamieson: Amendments may be made to the format and content of draft reports in so far as these relate to the presentation of the results of the research and interpretation of relevant policy. Once final draft reports are agreed, they are published, or otherwise made available, without alteration.

Research

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 12 March 2002, Official Report, column 915W, on research documents, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Department's research management policies and practices and the handling of research and/or contractor information as referred to in Annex A of the DTLR(C) Reseach Overview.

David Jamieson: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House. It should be noted that this is internal guidance and subject to regular update and revision.

Research

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 12 March 2002, Official Report, column 915W, on research documents, who is preparing the specification for further work to present the information in a form suitable for access through the DTLR website; what timetable has been agreed for this specification to be completed; what form this specification is likely to take; and what timetable for completion of work to enable access to be available is expected.

David Jamieson: My officials are developing the specification to provide a basis for further work within the Department (to ensure consistency of information and compatability with other information available on the website) and for commissioning further software development (to facilitate access to the data). No firm timetable has yet been agreed.

Air Traffic Control

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made towards the development of a new air traffic control centre at Prestwick; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale (Mr. Duncan) on 23 January 2002, Official Report, columns 862–63W.

Urban Regeneration

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential for private finance initiatives within urban regeneration.

Sally Keeble: The Secretary of State has asked English Partnerships to carry out a feasibility study into the use of private finance initiatives within urban regeneration

Urban Regeneration

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the local government finance assistance schemes available through Leeds City Council to tackle urban poverty.

Sally Keeble: My Department's main programmes such as the Housing Investment Programmes (HIP) and Revenue Support Grant all contribute to the alleviation of urban poverty. In addition, my Department runs the following programme which specifically addresses this:
	Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF), which is paid as part of Rate Support Grant, amounts to:
	2001–02: £4.1 million
	2002–03: £6.2 million
	2003–04: £8.3 million.
	NRF is specifically targeted at deprived communities.
	The HIP allocation for 2002–03 is £12.8 million. The Major Repairs Allowance allocation is £35.05 million.

Urban Regeneration

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the inner city budget schemes initiated to tackle urban poverty since June 1997.

Sally Keeble: Since June 1997, my Department and its predecessor Department have initiated the following programmes which aim to tackle poverty and address social exclusion, particularly in the most deprived local authority areas, including those in inner cities:
	
		
			 Year Name of scheme 
		
		
			 1998 Single Regeneration Budget round 4 
			 1999 Single Regeneration Budget round 5 
			 1999 New Deal for Communities 
			 2000 Single Regeneration Budget round 6 
			 2000 Government's share of the European Regional Development Fund 
			 2001 Single Regeneration Budget transitional arrangements for the RDA single programme 
			 2001 Community Chest 
			 2001 Community Empowerment Fund 
			 2001 Neighbourhood Management Programme 
			 2001 Neighbourhood Renewal Fund 
			 2001 Neighbourhood Skills and Knowledge Programme 
			 2001 Neighbourhood Wardens Programme 
			 2001 Starter Homes Initiative 
			 2001 Street Wardens Programme

Urban Regeneration

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of EU state aid rules on the use of private sector partnerships to deliver urban regeneration in the UK.

Sally Keeble: The closure of the PIP programme has restricted the use of regeneration PPPs. We are currently working on ways of removing these restrictions. However, provided public and private involvement in the regeneration PPP acts on the same terms it should not be affected by the state aid rules. The existing gap funding schemes allow PPPs to provide state aid within defined limits. The Single Regeneration Budget, one of the Government's major regeneration programmes, is delivered through local regeneration partnerships and the private sector continues to be an important member of a large number of these.

Urban Regeneration

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his most recent estimate is of the quantity of previously developed urban land available for development in the London Region; and what estimate has been made of the number of new dwellings that may be accommodated on that land.

Sally Keeble: Estimates from the National Land Use Database show that, within London in 1998, there were some 2,820 hectares of previously developed land that were unused or may have been available for redevelopment. Estimates from the boroughs suggested that some 1,720 hectares of this were suitable for housing and could accommodate some 82,000 dwellings. The figures provide a snapshot of the land available in 1998. The estimated dwelling capacity reflects the development plan policies applying at the time and were made prior to the publication of revised national planning policy guidance on Housing (PPG3). The figures do not make allowance for new brownfield sites emerging in future, or other sources of additional capacity, not involving greenfield land, such as sub-division of existing housing, flats over shops and empty homes.
	In September 2000, the GLA published a report entitled "London's Housing Capacity". The capacity study, undertaken in 1999, estimated that there was potential for 381,000 net additional dwellings in London in the period 1997–2016. If vacancies and non self-contained accommodation are included the capacity is 458,000 household spaces. The study found that of the large identified housing sites (which comprised nearly 30 per cent. of the total capacity and where detailed information about former use was available), 97 per cent. were brownfield sites.
	The National Land Use Database is currently being updated to 2001.

Play Areas (Children With Disabilities)

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will meet representatives from interested organisations to discuss the Government's proposed best practice guidance on accessible play areas for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: The Government are committed to producing new guidance on play areas for disabled children. I welcome the valuable contribution that outside expertise would bring and I would be pleased to meet relevant organisations.

Fire Service

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the awards made by the Arson Control Forum, stating (a) the recipient, (b) the amount and (c) the purpose in each case.

Alan Whitehead: I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the then Minister for the Home Department (Mike O'Brien) on 8 May 2001, Official Report, column 78W about the Arson Control Forum's new projects bidding exercise for 2001–02.
	I shall be writing to the hon. Member about the outcome of the Arson Control Forum new projects bidding exercise for 2002–03 in due course.

Roads

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many road schemes the South West Regional Assembly has recommended to the Department for approval.

David Jamieson: To date, the South West Regional Assembly (SWRA) has recommended three road schemes for inclusion in the Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI). These are:
	A38 Dobwalls Bypass
	A417 Cowley to Air Balloon Improvement
	A30 Merrymeet roundabout, near Okehampton.
	In March 2001, the Dobwalls Bypass was added to the TPI while the two other schemes are currently the subject of further studies being undertaken by the Highways Agency.

Gas Explosion, Newton Heath

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Health and Safety Executive's investigation into the gas explosion in Newton Heath, Manchester on 17 November 2001.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer 21 March 2002
	A report by Transco plc on the gas explosion at Newton Heath was received by the Health and Safety Executive on 4 March 2002. HSE is discussing with Transco what action the company should take to implement the recommendations. I understand that a copy of the Transco investigation report has been sent to the hon. Member by HSE and that both they and Transco have offered to meet him to discuss the report.

Stadiums

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will set out the criteria used in deciding whether to call in the planning application for (a) redevelopment of Odsal Stadium and (b) a new stadium for Arsenal Football Club.

Stephen Byers: My general approach, like that of previous Secretaries of State, is not to interfere with the jurisdiction of local planning authorities unless it is necessary to do so. Parliament has entrusted them with responsibility for day-to-day planning control in their areas. Local planning authorities are normally best placed to make decisions relating to their areas and it is right that, in general, they should be free to carry out their duties responsibly, with the minimum of interference.
	There will be occasions, however, when I may consider it necessary to call in a planning application to determine myself instead of leaving it to the local planning authority. My policy is to be very selective about calling in planning applications. I will, in general, only take this step if planning issues of more than local importance are involved and if those issues need to be decided by me rather than at a local level. Such cases may include, for example, those which, in my opinion:
	may conflict with national policies on important matters;
	could have significant effects beyond their immediate locality;
	give rise to substantial regional or national controversy;
	raise significant architectural and urban design issues; or
	may involve the interests of national security or of foreign Governments.
	Each case is, however, considered on its own facts.
	Copies of the letters to call in (a) and not to call in (b) are on the Department's website.

Stadiums

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on the redevelopment of Odsal Stadium, Bradford.

Stephen Byers: I have had no discussions with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on the redevelopment of Odsal Stadium.

Secondments

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many BP employees are on secondment to his Department; for what purposes; on what terms; and how many BP employees have been on secondment to his Department since January 2000.

Alan Whitehead: There have been no BP employees on secondment to this Department since January 2000.

Multi-modal Studies

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he intends to make an announcement about the South-East Manchester Multi Modal Study.

Sally Keeble: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend (Mr. Spellar) to my hon. Friend the Member for Rochdale (Mrs. Lorna Fitzsimons) on 21 March 2002, Official Report, columns 492W-493W.

Multi-modal Studies

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what consultation there has been between the consultants undertaking the London to south and south-west multi-modal study and the Thames Valley multi-modal study on recommendations regarding the M4 from London to Reading.

Stephen Byers: There have been frequent meetings between the two sets of consultants undertaking these two multi modal studies, and between the Government Offices for the south-east and south-west who are chairing the steering groups for the studies.

Congestion

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the level of inter-urban congestion is on roads in England.

David Jamieson: To provide a baseline against which to monitor progress towards the congestion target in the 10-year Plan for Transport, we will publish estimates of congestion in 2000 later in the year.

Signposting

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to improve signposting on roads and motorways; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The responsibility for placing and maintaining signs lies with the relevant traffic authority. We have published good practice guidance on the design and use of signs, which is available from the Stationery Office, in the Traffic Signs Manual and Local Transport Notes, and the Highways Agency has recently updated its standard on sign maintenance. We are currently consulting on updated guidance for the provision of white and brown direction signs to tourist attractions and facilities in England, and we will be publishing updated guidance on warning signs and road markings when revised Traffic Signs Regulations are introduced later this year.

Local Authority Contracts

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make it his policy to remove the right for local authorities to charge successful tenders a percentage of the total tender price.

Alan Whitehead: I am not aware that local authorities do charge successful tenderers a percentage of the total tender price. If the hon. Member would like to provide me with more information, I will consider further.

East of England Development Agency

Gillian Shephard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the annual salary costs are of (a) the chairman and (b) the chief executive of the East of England Development Agency in 2001–02.

Alan Whitehead: In 2001–02 the salary costs for the chairman of the East of England Development Agency are £46,634, and the salary costs for the chief executive are £100,590 plus a bonus yet to be determined.

Planning Inspectorate

Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what performance target he plans to set the Planning Inspectorate Executive Agency for 2002–03.

Sally Keeble: The Planning Inspectorate has a key role to play in delivering quality services to all users of the planning system.
	This year, for the first time, we are setting targets for the handling of enforcement appeals. The Planning Green Paper underlines that better enforcement is a key factor in raising public confidence in the planning system. Improved handling of enforcement appeals will support delivery of that objective.
	We are also setting a new target for the handling of called-in planning applications and recovered appeals by the inspectorate. This is part of our Green Paper drive to deliver essential improvements in the decision-making times in these cases.
	We will be working with the inspectorate to consider ways in which performance on planning appeals might be improved further in later years without compromising quality.
	The targets for 2002–03 are as follows:
	Timeliness
	(a) Planning appeals
	80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by written representation to be decided within 16 weeks;
	80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by hearing to be decided within 22 weeks;
	80 per cent. of all planning appeals decided by inquiry to be decided within 30 weeks;
	(b) Enforcement appeals
	80 per cent. of all enforcement appeals decided by written representation to be decided within 32 weeks;
	80 per cent. of all enforcement appeals decided by hearing to be decided within 33 weeks;
	80 per cent. of all enforcement appeals decided by inquiry to be decided within 43 weeks;
	(c) Called-in and recovered appeals
	to process 80 per cent. of all called-in and recovered appeal cases within 12 weeks from close of the inquiry to delivery of the inspector's report to the Secretary of State.
	(d) Development plan inquiries
	to provide an inspector for a development plan inquiry in at least 90 per cent. of cases on the date requested by the local authority, provided that the objection period has ended and at least six month's notice has been given;
	to deliver 90 per cent. of inspector's reports on development plan inquiries to local authorities according to time scales agreed under service agreements.
	Quality
	To satisfy the Advisory Panel on Standards for the Planning Inspectorate, and thus the Secretary of State and the first Minister of the National Assembly for Wales, annually and following rigorous monitoring, that the quality of all the inspectorate's work is being maintained at a high standard, with 99 per cent. of its case work free from justified complaint. Information and guidance
	To survey customer satisfaction with the inspectorate's performance and to act upon the results.

Wembley Stadium (Transport Links)

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the redevelopment of Wembley Park underground station to facilitate transit to and from a national stadium at Wembley.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner) on 12 March 2002, and which I understand appeared in the Official Report, on 19 March 2002, column 237W.

Driver and Vechicle Licensing Agency

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many complaints were received by (a) the DVLA, (b) his Department and (c) other bodies with reference to the process by which licence applications are processed by the DVLA, broken down by the nature of each complaint, in each year since 1997.

David Jamieson: Available information about the number of formal complaints received about the DVLA driving licence application process is shown as follows.
	Table 1 shows the number of formal customer complaints received by DVLA broken down by the nature of the complaint.
	Table 2 shows the number of official correspondence cases received by DVLA, which may include complaints, but detailed analysis figures are not available. Of these, private secretary office cases are received via the Department. Further analysis of Table 2 data is not available without a special exercise at disproportionate cost. DVLA receive 5.4 million driving licence applications every year.
	The Department and DVLA have no information on complaints received by other bodies.
	
		Table 1: DVLA formal customer complaints
		
			 Complaint category 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Driving licence applications 
			 Non receipt of a driving licence 48 59 130 92 
			 Other driving licence complaints 153 227 551 139 
			 Drivers medical complaint 25 75 149 174 
			 Documents lost at DVLA 6 7 46 154 
			 Processing time/procedures(34) 5 6 18 322 
			 DVLA forms 5 4 36 28 
			  
			 Total 242 378 930 909 
		
	
	(34) 1997–98 to 1999–2000 data are for both driver and vehicle complaints.
	
		Table 2: Official correspondence (which may be complaints)
		
			 Case type 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Private secretary office 232 253 510 905 
			 MP direct 356 441 996 1,101 
		
	
	Note:
	The figures are shown in financial years.

Driver and Vechicle Licensing Agency

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent changes there have been in the (a) management, (b) computerisation and (c) other aspects of the DVLA related to the process by which licence applications are processed; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The second EC directive on driver licensing resulted in significant changes to the management, computerisation and other aspects of DVLA's processes relating to the issue of driving licences. Prior to July 1998 drivers received paper licences. From this point photocard licences were introduced on a phased basis. All licences issued by DVLA are now in this form.
	The changes have meant that photographs and signatures are captured electronically for reproduction on the new style licence. As it now contains a photograph identity checking procedures have been tightened up considerably, compared with those in place for the issue of paper licences. Ministers decided that from April 1999 identity documentation should be accepted to support identity.

Driver and Vechicle Licensing Agency

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the process by which licence applications are processed by the DVLA; what steps his Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to make this process more effective; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The process associated with the issue of driving licences has been the subject of continuous review and improvement since photocards were introduced in July 1998. Holders of UK passports and those in receipt of state retirement pensions can now have their applications checked at some 750 post offices with the documents returned immediately, thereby reducing the need to send their documents direct to Swansea.
	The introduction of electronic interchange of information about identity between DVLA and UK Passport Services is being actively explored. New versions of forms and leaflets are introduced regularly taking customers views into account, which has reduced the rate of return of applications significantly.

MOT

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what changes have taken place to the MOT test since 1997; what plans there are to make further changes to the test; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: There have been no significant changes to the scope of the MOT test since 1997 and there are none planned. However, detailed testing standards and methods are constantly updated to keep pace with changing vehicle technology and legislation.
	The introduction of the MOT computerised database from January 2003 will improve the availability of standards information for testers and enable much more information on the results of tests to be gathered. It will also alter administrative procedures for recording a test and the issue of test certificates.

MOT

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many cars (a) initially failed, (b) passed on completion of necessary work and (c) passed without additional work the MOT test in each year since 1990.

David Jamieson: The Vehicle Inspectorate collects returns from all 18,869 MOT testing stations on a monthly basis which contain details of the vehicles tested, failures and passes. A 2 per cent. sample of the returns is used as the basis for calculating an annual fail rate and details are shown in the table. The inspectorate does not hold details of the numbers of vehicles passed on completion of necessary work or passed without additional work. More information about failure rates and defect categories can be found in the Vehicle Inspectorate Effectiveness report 2000–01, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
	
		
			 Year(35) Number of vehicles(36) tested Fail rate (percentage) 
		
		
			 1994–95 22,562,000 37.2 
			 1995–96 22,468,000 37.3 
			 1996–97 21,669,000 36.1 
			 1997–98 21,482,000 36.1 
			 1998–99 22,174,000 35.7 
			 1999–2000 22,035,000 33.6 
			 2000–01 22,775,000 31.7 
		
	
	(35) Figures not available in a comparable format prior to 1994–95
	(36) Cars, vans and passenger vehicles with up to 12 seats
	The introduction of the computerised MOT database from January 2003 will provide the inspectorate with the facility to improve the reporting of pass and fail rates.

MOT

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps (a) his Department and (b) the Vehicle Inspector (i) have taken and (ii) plan to take to monitor the work of MOT testing stations and the effectiveness of the MOT test.

David Jamieson: Checks of the standard of MOT test procedures and authorised premises are carried out by the Vehicle Inspectorate (VI) by means of regular visits during which premises are inspected and tests observed; observed tests of vehicles submitted by "incognito" vehicle examiners; checks carried out in response to appeals against the test result from members of the public; and special investigations in cases where the inspectorate believes that there might be significant breaches of the regulations. The Vehicle Inspectorate has the power to take enforcement action when evidence of sub-standard testing is found. Sanctions can range from the issue of warning letters to withdrawal of authorisation.
	VI trialled a new check of testing effectiveness in 2000–01 which has been introduced fully this year. Examiners carry out random re-inspections of recently tested vehicles and the results give VI a measure of how well garages are applying test standards.
	The introduction of the computerised MOT database from January 2003 will enable the inspectorate to analyse detailed statistics on the performance of test stations, testers and the outcome of individual tests. This will enable VI to increase its effectiveness through improved targeting of enforcement checks, training and advice.

Road Safety

Alice Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  how many local authority (a) road safety officers and (b) school crossing patrol coordinators there are in the UK;
	(2)  how many (a) schools and (b) companies ran road safety activities with their local authority road safety officers in 2001.

David Jamieson: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Road Safety

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place in the Library the guidance issued by his Department on the location and visibility of speed cameras.

Stephen Byers: New visibility rules for those areas participating in the safety camera netting off scheme were announced on 3 December and have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Digital Tachographs

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is the intended date for the introduction of digital tachographs; how many representations he has received about the need to protect data from fraudulent manipulation; how many times drivers will be able to lose their smartcard and remain within the law; and what information he has made available to the freight industry.

John Spellar: The fitting of digital tachographs to new vehicles will become compulsory two years after the publication by the European Commission of the technical specification for digital tachographs. I understand that publication should take place in May this year. On this basis, digital tachographs will need to be fitted to new vehicles from May 2004.
	To date, no representations have been received about the vulnerability of data to fraudulent manipulation. The regulation lays down strict security requirements and provides that type approval may not be granted until the whole system has demonstrated its capacity to resist attempts to tamper with or alter the data.
	A driver may hold one valid driver card only. If the driver card is damaged, malfunctions or is lost or stolen, the issuing authority—in the UK the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVLA)—will issue a replacement card. The issue of a replacement card will be shown on DVLA's database and the original card recorded as withdrawn. Multiple losses of cards by drivers will be reported by DVLA to the Vehicle Inspectorate who may investigate.
	We have kept the industry informed about developments through the Road Haulage Forum and other on-going contacts. Now that the Commission is shortly to publish the technical specification, starting the countdown to implementation of the regulation, we will be consulting the industry on various detailed aspects of the implementation process.

TV Cables (Electrocution)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many cases of electrocution there were from 1995 arising from the seepage of water through aerial and satellite cables into television and set top boxes; and if he will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: I have been asked to reply.
	My Department knows of no such cases.

Aggregates

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what resources he makes available for treatment of Mundic aggregate.

Brian Wilson: I have been asked to reply.
	Over the past eight years Government have provided funding for the work of the Building Research Establishment programme that looks at problems in concrete materials. This work has included an investigation into mundic treatment processes and testing procedures.

Aggregates

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made in developing methods of testing and assessment to enable the maximum number of homes built using mundic aggregate to be accepted by mortgage lenders.

Brian Wilson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Mundic Working Group published "Stage Three Expansion Testing" on 29 January 2002. The test has been accepted by the Council of Mortgage Lenders and will allow some further houses to be removed from the mortgage black list.

Civil Defence

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what requirements there are for local authorities to produce a civil defence plan.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	The Civil Defence (General Local Authority Functions) Regulations 1993 require county councils, unitary authorities, metropolitan districts and London Boroughs to prepare and review plans for civil defence purposes, to exercise and train for those plans and to consult other local authorities and fire authorities affected by those plans. They require district councils to train their staff, to provide information to county councils and to assist county councils in making and revising plans.
	Since the introduction of these regulations local authorities have been encouraged to prepare flexible plans for responding to a wide variety of peacetime hazards.

Civil Defence

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who within local authorities is the officer held accountable for civil defence matters.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	The Chief Executive, or equivalent, of a local authority is accountable for matters relating to civil defence.

SCOTLAND

Retirement Ages

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the retirement ages that apply to the employees of her Department and its agencies, including how many and which categories of employees are affected by each; and if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on flexible retirement.

Helen Liddell: The normal retirement practice age in the Scotland Office for staff outside the senior civil service is age 60. Retirement age policy is currently under review with colleagues in the Scottish Executive, from where most Scotland Office staff have been loaned. Pending the outcome of the review, staff may be retained beyond age 60 on a yearly basis, provided there is a post available and performance, conduct and attendance are satisfactory.
	The Cabinet Office is responsible for setting the retirement age for all members of the senior civil service. This is age 60. However, Heads of Departments and Agency Chief Executives have flexibility to retain members of the senior civil service beyond age 60 if they judge it in the public interest and they are satisfied about the fitness and efficiency of the individual to carry out his or her duties.

Fair Trade

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether fair trade products are sold in her Department.

Helen Liddell: My Department has no facilities which would enable us to sell fair trade products.

Ministerial Meetings

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when she plans to 
	(1)  meet the Scottish Ambulance Service; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(2)  meet Link Scotland; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(3)  meet the Scottish NFU; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(4)  meet Friends of the Earth Scotland; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(5)  meet the Scottish Society for the Protection of Animals; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(6)  meet the WWF Scotland; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(7)  meet Scottish Care; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(8)  meet the Scottish Council for Development of Industry; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(9)  meet the Centre for Scottish Public Policy; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(10)  meet the Education Institute of Scotland; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(11)  meet Universities Scotland; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(12)  meet the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(13)  meet the Scottish Daily Newspaper Society; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(14)  meet the Scottish Parent Teacher Council; and on how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland.

Helen Liddell: I meet representatives of a wide range of public and private sector bodies in a variety of circumstances, both formal and informal, and I shall continue to do so.

Nuclear Power Stations

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Advocate-General, pursuant to her oral answer of 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 157, (a) what discussions she has had with the Minister of State, Scotland Office in the last two months on the issue of planning consent for new nuclear power stations in Scotland and (b) what account she took of section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989; and if she will make a statement.

Lynda Clark: I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues concerning a variety of issues. As I have explained to the House on several occasions it is a long-standing convention, adhered to by successive Governments, that neither the fact nor content of opinions or advice given by the Law Officers is disclosed outside Government (even in Parliament).

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for PPP contracts let by her Department in each of the last four years; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for the five largest PFI contracts let by her Department in each of the last four years; and if she will make a statement.

Helen Liddell: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. No PPP or PFI contracts have been let by my Department since that date.

Reserved Matters

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the functions which she exercises in relation to Scotland in reserved matters.

Helen Liddell: I exercise certain statutory and other functions in relation to reserved matters, including under the Scotland Act 1998 in relation to the devolution settlement itself; in relation to elections in Scotland under the Representation of the People Act 1983, as amended; in relation to the Boundary Commission for Scotland under the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, as amended; in relation to the Crown Estate Commissioners under the Crown Estate Act 1961, and under the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Statutory Instruments

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the statutory instruments issued by her Department in the last 12 months, indicating (a) the purpose of each and (b) the cost of each to (i) public funds, (ii) businesses and (iii) individuals.

Patricia Hewitt: In the period, my Department made and issued 142 statutory instruments. During this time 33 Regulatory Impact Assessments were issued in connection with SIs.
	The further information requested by the hon. Member could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Sustainable Development

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements she will put in place to ensure that in filling vacancies on the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, account is taken of the Government's commitments to sustainable development and reduction of UK greenhouse gas emissions.

Brian Wilson: When making appointments to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority we seek to create a body with a range of skills and attributes which are relevant to the various duties and objectives of the authority.

Energy Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on energy costs incurred by her Department in each of the last 10 years.

Brian Wilson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Rural Affairs on 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 268W.

Entertainment Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list for 1997–98 and each subsequent financial year the amount spent by (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies in respect of hotel and other similar privately-provided accommodation (i) in the UK and (ii) abroad for (A) Ministers, (B) staff and (C) other persons; if she will list the proportion of this cost incurred in respect of (x) food and (y) alcohol in each case; and if she will list the average cost per hotel room or similar unit of accommodation provided in each case.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, on 14 February 2002, Official Report, column 560W.

Entertainment Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list for 1997–98 and for each subsequent financial year, including the current year to date, the amount spent by (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on (i) food and (ii) alcohol, indicating how much was spent on guests, and how much in respect of (A) Ministers and (B) staff, broken down to show how much was provided directly by her Department and how much reclaimed.

Patricia Hewitt: The information requested for the Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Official Visits

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  if she will list the official visits to (a) Paris and (b) Brussels made by each Minister in her Department in 2001 and the mode of travel used; and what guidance is provided to Ministers in her Department on the choice of mode of travel for such visits;
	(2)  if she will list the official visits within the UK outside London made by each Minister in her Department in 2001, giving for each (a) the origin and destination and (b) the mode of travel used; and what guidance is provided to Ministers in her Department on choice of mode of travel for official visits.

Patricia Hewitt: Since 1999 this Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Details of travel undertaken since 1 March 2001 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House.
	All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
	The additional detailed information requested in respect of UK travel is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Celebrations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements her Department has made to celebrate (a) St. Patrick's Day, (b) St. George's Day, (c) St. Andrew's Day and (d) Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and how her Department celebrated St. David's Day.

Patricia Hewitt: [holding answer 11 March 2002: I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) in response to his round robin question of 30 January, 11 February 2002, Official Report, columns 58–59W.
	The DTI, along with other Government Departments, flies the Union flag from its buildings on certain days of the year known as 'named days' when the Union flag must be flown from Government buildings. The days include St. David's Day and St. George's Day, but not St. Patrick's Day.
	Consideration is being given to the Union flag flying protocol for the Jubilee. However, the Union flag will fly on Coronation Day (2 June) as this is a 'named day'.
	An additional bank holiday will take place on Monday 3 June 2002 to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee and, to create a two-day holiday period, the spring bank holiday, which would normally take place on 27 May, has been moved to Tuesday 4 June.

East of England Development Agency

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the projected underspend by EEDA for the year to 31 March, indicating the reason for the underspend in each case.

Alan Johnson: EEDA's total projected underspend for the 2001–02 financial year is £5,864,000.

East of England Development Agency

Gillian Shephard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total annual budget is of the East of England Development Agency in 2001–02; and what sum within that total is allocated to publicity and marketing.

Alan Johnson: EEDA's total annual budget for 2001–02 is £62.596 million. This figure includes £3.7 million potential end of year flexibility from 2000–01 which as at 20 March is still awaiting parliamentary approval. EEDA has allocated £200,000 for publicity and marketing in 2001–02.

Refurbishment

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures the Government are taking to uphold specification standards for the refurbishments of Departments.

Patricia Hewitt: Individual Departments are responsible for the refurbishments of their own Departments.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the budget for the Insolvency Service was for each year from 1997.

Melanie Johnson: Plans for the Insolvency Service are published in the Government's Expenditure Plans for the DTI, a copy of which can be found in the Libraries of the House. Insolvency Service expenditure is reported in the service's annual accounts which are laid before Parliament and placed in the Libraries of the House.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what controls are in place to ensure that the Insolvency Service hotline meets the needs of its customers.

Melanie Johnson: In August and September 1998 the National Audit Office undertook a follow up review of directors disqualification, including the hotline, and contacted a sample of complainants, 78 per cent. of whom stated that they would use the service again. The NAO's recommendations as regards the hotline were fully implemented, and included a simplified complaints questionnaire which is also available on the service's website and by link from Companies House.
	The service also operates a formal complaints procedure, and since January 1998, six complaints have been received in connection with the hotline of which only two proved to have been justified.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to make insolvency laws more (a) efficient, (b) user friendly and (c) effective in obtaining prosecutions.

Melanie Johnson: The Insolvency Act 2000 introduced an optional moratorium into voluntary arrangement proceedings to make procedures more responsive to the needs of those facing financial difficulties.
	The White Paper "Opportunity for All in a World of Change: Insolvency—A Second Chance" outlined the Government's proposals for reforms to the law of personal insolvency.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average cost in (a) sterling and (b) man hours has been to prosecute a rogue director, by the undertaking of an investigation and prosecution by the Insolvency Service, over the last year.

Melanie Johnson: The Insolvency Service is not a prosecuting authority. In cases where the Insolvency Service considers that there is prima facie evidence of a prosecutable offence the official receiver refers the results of his/her investigation to the Legal Services Directorate of the Department of Trade and Industry for further investigation and prosecution where appropriate.
	Cost for prosecutions are not available.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect of the Insolvency (Amendment) Regulations 2000 on the Insolvency Service, including (a) cost savings, (b) efficiency savings and (c) changes in service levels between the Service and its customers.

Melanie Johnson: The Insolvency (Amendment) regulations 2000, which came into force on 31 March 2000 make provision for payments into and out of the Insolvency Services Account to be transmitted by electronic means. This has had the following effect on the Insolvency Service and its customers:
	(a) Cost savings: the Insolvency Service estimates that a BACS payment costs 50p less than a payment by cheque. In the period from 1 April 2000 to 28 February 2002, 7,770 payments out of the Insolvency Services Account were made by BACS producing total estimated savings for the Insolvency Service of £3,885. Insolvency practitioners who have a BACS payments facility should be able to achieve the same order of cost savings when remitting funds to the Insolvency Services Account by this method. Currently the Insolvency Service does not levy a fee for making a BACS payment, whereas a fee of 65p per cheque is charged against the estate upon which it is drawn. In respect of the 7,770 BACS payments in the period from 1 April 2000 to 28 February 2002, the cost saving to estates was £5,050.50.
	(b) Efficiency savings: the resource efficiencies of electronic payments have, with other process efficiency gains, enabled the Insolvency Service to process a 15 per cent. higher volume of payments in the period from 1 April 2000 to 28 February 2002 without increasing the number of staff engaged in this area of work.
	(c) Changes in service levels between the Insolvency Service and its customer: a BACS payment request is processed on the day of receipt (day one) by the Insolvency Service and credited to the payee's bank account on day three. By comparison, a cheque requisition received on day one is despatched to the payee on day four; the transit time and bank clearing process mean that the cheque will generally be credited to the payee's account on day seven—four days later than by BACS.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many convictions as a result of investigations by the Insolvency Service there were in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: The number of prosecutions as a result of investigation by the Insolvency Service each year since 1997 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1997 406 
			 1 January 1998 to 31 December 1998 394 
			 1 January 1999 to 31 December 1999 334 
			 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000 339 
			 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001 373

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what procedure is in place within the Insolvency Service to track the progress of individual cases being investigated; and what plans she has to review this procedure.

Melanie Johnson: Official receivers have worked to a centrally defined investigation process since 1999. The progress of the investigation is recorded on case files and on a computerised case management system. Performance is monitored at an office level, at regional level and at national level. The investigation process was reviewed and reissued in 2001 and will be subject to further review in 2003.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets her Department has set the Insolvency Service in each of the years since 1997; and how successful the agency was in achieving these targets.

Melanie Johnson: The targets and outturn for the Insolvency Service are published in the Insolvency Service annual report, a copy of which can be found in the Libraries of the House.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Insolvency Service's quinquennial review.

Melanie Johnson: The Insolvency Service (INSS) has responded positively to the recommendations of the quinquennial review.
	All recommendation are being actioned by INSS under the supervision of its steering board. Action includes steps to build on its existing performance, to provide a basis to respond to fluctuations in work loads and to modernise existing delivery frameworks. All action is aimed at enhancing service delivery.
	The Insolvency Service steering board will continue to oversee progress on implementation.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets she has set the Insolvency Service for 2002–03.

Melanie Johnson: The targets for 2002–03 have not yet been approved.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) representations she has received and (b) research she has commissioned into the effectiveness of the Insolvency Act 2000; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: I have not received any representations about, or commissioned research into, the effectiveness of the Insolvency Act 2000.
	The Insolvency Service monitors those of the Act's measures that came into force by 2 April 2001.

Insolvencies

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many insolvencies by (a) creditors voluntary liquidation, (b) receivership, (c) compulsory liquidation, (d) administration and (e) company voluntary arrangement there were in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2000 and (v) 2001 in (A) St. Helens, South, (B) St. Helens, MBC area, (C) Merseyside, (D) Manchester, (E) the north-west regional development area, (F) other regional development areas and (G) England.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 21 March 2002
	Information on the regional basis requested is not available. The table shows the different types of insolvency for each year from 1997 to 2001 for England and Wales.
	
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 (a) Creditors voluntary liquidations 7,875 7,987 9,071 9,392 10,297 
			 (b) Receivership 1,837 1,713 1,618 1,595 1,914 
			 (c) Compulsory liquidation 4,735 5,216 5,209 4,925 4,675 
			 (d) Administrations 196 338 440 438 698 
			 (e) Company voluntary arrangements 629 470 475 557 597

Bankruptcy

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her Department's policy is regarding bankruptcy; and what her policy is on measures to deter individuals and companies from seeking bankruptcy terms.

Melanie Johnson: The Department's policy on bankruptcy is set out in the White Paper "Insolvency A Second Chance" (Cm 5234), which is available in the Libraries of the House. There are no plans to deter individuals or companies from entering into insolvency proceedings, which still have an important role to play in the resolution of financial difficulties.

Business Mergers

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with the takeover panel in respect of the merger between P&O Princess and Royal Caribbean Cruises.

Melanie Johnson: None.

Business Mergers

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will take action in respect of the proposed merger between KPMG and Andersen's non-US businesses.

Melanie Johnson: Any proposed merger which meets the qualifying threshold would be considered by the European Commission under European Community Merger Regulation.
	The parties concerned have not yet made a formal notification to the Commission.

US Steel Tariffs

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on (a) the decision by the US Government to impose tariffs on steel imports and (b) the impact on the UK steel industry of the decision; and what assistance she will provide to the UK steel industry.

Brian Wilson: I refer my hon. Friend to the statement my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry made to the House on 6 March 2002, Official Report, columns 307–19.
	The direct impact on the UK steel industry of the additional US tariffs on their steel imports is likely to be a marked reduction in the approximately 300,000 tonnes of UK steel exports to the United States. The indirect impact of US imports being deflected to the EU is of potentially greater significance.
	The Department works closely with the UK steel industry to provide support to improve the sector's competitiveness, for example through the Metals Industry Competitiveness Enterprise and the National Metals Technology Centre.

US Steel Tariffs

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of US tariffs on the import of steel on the steel industry in south-east Wales; and what action she intends to take.

Brian Wilson: The direct impact on the UK steel industry of the additional US tariffs on their steel imports is likely to be a marked reduction in the approximately 300,000 tonnes of UK steel exports to the United States. The indirect impact of US imports being deflected to the EU is of potentially greater significance.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, set out the Government's reaction to the US measure in her statement to the House on 6 March 2002, Official Report, column 307–19.

Bioenergy Capital Grants

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will ensure that the bioenergy capital grants scheme is sufficiently flexible to support small and medium sized enterprises,

Brian Wilson: After considerable consultation with the industry conducted by my Department and the New Opportunities Fund (NOF), we have recently put forward the initial details of the bioenergy capital grants scheme on our website. The initial design takes into account the policy directions which accompany the NOF funding and the recommendations of the Performance and Innovation Unit which accompany the DTI funding. There is no limit to the size of organisation which can be involved, but we envisage setting minimum project sizes to ensure appropriate economies of scale, appropriate electrical efficiency and sufficient supply chain development.
	There may also be scope for support for smaller-scale biomass projects within our forthcoming community and household grants scheme which we are currently developing under the Sustainable Energy Research and Development Programme.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the cost to the British economy of the waste electrical and electronic equipment directive using the methodology set out in the draft document;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on the economic cost of the methods of disposing of waste electrical and electronic equipment in the United Kingdom.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 12 March 2002
	An updated partial regulatory impact assessment (RIA) will be placed in the Libraries of the House this month. Based on the latest draft of the directive, the RIA suggests the annual compliance costs of implementing the directive will lie in the range £191 million to £391 million.
	Industry estimates suggest that, by weight, around half of the total UK electrical goods waste arisings currently enter a recycling/recovery process on an economic basis. There will be a cost associated with disposal of the remainder. This will primarily relate to landfilling costs.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from greetings card manufacturers and retailers about the inclusion of musical greeting cards within the scope of the proposed waste electrical and electronic equipment directive.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 12 March 2002
	I am not aware of any representations.

Fuel Poverty

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the Government will ensure that sustainable energy and realistic pricing proposals do not increase fuel poverty.

Brian Wilson: The Government will continue with actions to put downward pressure on prices. The Government's Fuel Poverty Strategy also sets out a range of programmes to improve the energy efficiency of homes of the fuel poor. This will help households in fuel poverty and minimise the impact of any possible increases in energy prices. The Government are committed to monitor and report on progress in tackling fuel poverty.

Energy Research

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Government have spent on energy research and development in each year since 1997.

Brian Wilson: Government expenditure on energy research and development since 1997 has been in the fields of sustainable energy and nuclear fusion and is set out in the table.
	
		£ million 
		
			   Sustainable energy research:  
			  DTI programme Research councils Fusion research 
		
		
			 Expenditure
			 1997–98 13.0 2.9 16.6 
			 1998–99 11.3 3.1 12.6 
			 1999–2000 12.5 2.4 14.4 
			 2000–01 13.1 2.8 14.3 
			 
			 Provision
			 2001–02 18.5 5.5 14.3 
			 2002–03 19.0 7.0 14.3 
		
	
	Publicly funded research into nuclear fission reactors stopped in 1994. The Health and Safety Executive co-ordinates a nuclear safety research programme funded by the relevant nuclear licensees.

Trading Scheme Exemptions

Harry Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 14 February 2002, Official Report, column 520W, on the single tier exemption, what representations were made to her Department for an additional exemption from the relevant provisions of the trading schemes legislation for trading schemes with more than a single master franchise in the UK during (a) the consultation in 1996 and (b) lobbying for the amending SI 1997 No. 1887; and if she will place in the Library the description of Government policy on multi-level trading provided to those requesting additional exemptions during the lobbying for SI No. 1887; and if she will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 11 March 2002
	At the time of the Trading Schemes Act 1996 and the introduction of supporting subordinate legislation in 1997, parts of the franchise industry proposed exclusion of schemes with more than one master franchiser in the UK.
	In response to some of the representations made, the subordinate legislation was amended to reflect more accurately the policy of excluding from regulatory control master franchise operations in which only the UK master franchiser would benefit from the recruitment of others to the scheme. However, it was decided that schemes with more than one master franchiser could leave a loophole allowing illegitimate schemes to avoid regulatory controls.
	Government policy for legislation in this area has always been:
	to provide a degree of protection to a party who is vulnerable in relation to another, in terms of their financial position and level of business acumen, but
	not to burden legitimate business, particularly the franchise sector, with unnecessary regulation.

Galileo Project

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with representatives of the German and Dutch Governments on the commercial viability of the Galileo project.

Patricia Hewitt: My officials, together with those of other Departments, have held a number of discussions with officials in the German and Dutch Governments about commercial viability and other issues relating to the Galileo project. We share with them and others the view that we support Galileo in principle, subject to satisfying certain conditions on finance, management and civil use. EU level discussions continue in advance of Transport Council.

Galileo Project

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will give financial assistance to the Galileo project.

Patricia Hewitt: We are already providing funding to the European Space Agency for the first phase of the Galileo programme. I am currently in discussion with my ministerial colleagues about subscribing to the development and validation phase. We expect the EU Transport Council to decide on 26 March whether or not to proceed with Galileo. If the decision is positive, a UK announcement on funding will follow.

Respiratory Compensation

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been paid in (a) respiratory compensation and (b) legal costs to solicitors.

Brian Wilson: To date, over £276 million has been paid in compensation and £49 million has been paid to claimants' solicitors in relation to respiratory disease.

Territorial Forces

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many members of staff of her Department are members of the Territorial forces; and if she has a strategy to encourage members of staff in her Department to become members of the Territorial forces.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department does not currently keep records of staff who are members of the Territorial forces. While there is no specific strategy to encourage staff to become members of the Territorial forces, my Department does grant special leave with pay of up to eight days a year (plus additional special leave without pay) for normal training. In the event of mobilisation of reserve forces, my Department would respond sympathetically to requests for staff to serve actively. Such absence would be unpaid but count as reckonable for pensions purposes.

Aerospace Industry

Irene Adams: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government have taken to help the aerospace industry since 1997; and if she will make a statement on her plans for further support.

Brian Wilson: The Government continue to support the aerospace industry through various programmes. For example, since 1997 we have committed nearly £1 billion in Launch Investment to Rolls-Royce and Airbus UK towards developing engines and wings for new aircraft. The Government have also funded over £100 million of research under their civil aeronautics research programme since 1997. The programme, which was renewed last year for a further five years until 2006, will continue to encourage both research and technology demonstration in civil aeronautics. There are also programmes to encourage cross-sectoral activity, for example, business process improvements, e-business and supply chain activity, from which the aerospace industry benefits. The Government are also making significant investment in the science base with the Research Council funding of research in a wide range of basic technologies of potential application in aeronautics.
	The Government are undertaking a study with the SBAC to review the future of support to the sector. The Government have also supported retention of a major aeronautics research programme as part of the forthcoming 6th European Framework programme from which UK companies should gain significant benefit.

Ian Stillman

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions the Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Small Businesses held concerning the case of Ian Stillman during his visit to India on 3 to 6 February.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 18 March 2002
	I understand that Mr. Stillman's case has been raised by ministerial colleagues in the Foreign Office.

Trade Partners UK

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what public funding Trade Partners UK has had in each year since 1981 in (a) actual and (b) real terms.

Nigel Griffiths: Trade Partners UK was launched in May 2000 and is the trade promotion and development arm of British Trade International. Programme funding of the Government's trade promotion and development activities from 1999, the year British Trade International was established, is as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1999–2000 outturn 56.6 
			 2000–01 outturn 70.5 
			 2001–02 budget 68.0 
		
	
	I have placed in the Libraries of the House a more detailed breakdown of current Government support for trade development and promotion, in the expenditure plans reports of British Trade International (Cm 5123), the Department of Trade and Industry (Cm 5112), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Cm 5110) and British Trade International's resource accounts for 2000–01 (HC 526).
	I have placed in the Libraries of the House information about Government support for trade development and promotion in earlier years, in the expenditure plans reports of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Trade Partners UK

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date Trade Partners UK received a request for advice on the attempted acquisition of Sidex by LNM/Ispat; and on what date it replied.

Patricia Hewitt: In accordance with previous Administrations, it is not our practice to disclose internal advice to Ministers which is exempt under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

General Agreement on Trade in Services Negotiations

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the progress her Department has made in consulting universities and colleges of higher education on the inclusion of higher education services in the GATS negotiations at the World Trade Organisation.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer my hon. Friend to my previous answer on 14 February 2002, Official Report, columns 528–29W. The consultations to which I referred are continuing.

Justices of the Peace

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many members of staff at her Department are justices of the peace; and if she has a strategy for her Department to encourage members of staff to become justices of the peace.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department does not keep records of staff who are justices of the peace. While there is no specific strategy to encourage members of staff to become justices of the peace, my Department does grant special leave with pay of up to 18 days a year (plus reasonable time for travelling to permit up to 26 attendances).

Compensation Applications

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been made for compensation for vibration white finger/ carpal tunnel syndrome, broken down by year of application.

Brian Wilson: Carpal tunnel syndrome, CTS, was not originally included in the Handling Agreement and therefore claimants cannot directly apply for compensation for this disability under the present scheme. However, it was agreed last year between the Department and the claimants' solicitors that CTS is a compensatable condition and these claims would be dealt with alongside vibration white finger, VWF, claims. Where claimants have been diagnosed as suffering from CTS following medical assessment, the Department will make an additional payment. The Department cannot therefore state the numbers of CTS claimants until all valid claimants are assessed.
	The number of claims registered for VWF by year is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of claims 
		
		
			 1991 1 
			 1994 1 
			 1995 1,201 
			 1996 8,537 
			 1997 9,309 
			 1998 12,079 
			 1999 23,666 
			 2000 60,417 
			 2001 18,474 
			 2002 4,114 
			  
			 Total 137,799

Nuclear Electricity

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much nuclear electricity general capacity is expected to be decommissioned, in each year of decommissioning.

Brian Wilson: As with other electricity generation options, decisions on nuclear station lifetimes are a commercial matter for the generating companies. Latest information published by the nuclear generating companies is as follows:
	
		
			 British Energy stations Declared net capability (MW) Current expected operational lifetime 
		
		
			 Hinkley Point B 1,220 2011 
			 Hunterston B 1,190 2011 
			 Dungeness B 1,110 2008 
			 Hartlepool 1,210 2014 
			 Heysham I 1,150 2014 
			 Heysham II 1,250 2023 
			 Torness 1,250 2023 
			 Sizewell B PWR 1,200 2035+ 
		
	
	
		
			 Magnox stations Capacity (MW) Expected lifetime 
		
		
			 Calder Hall 194 2006–08 
			 Chapelcross 196 2008–10 
			 Bradwell 246 2002 
			 Sizewell A 420 2006 
			 Dungeness A 450 2006 
			 Oldbury 434 2008 
			 Wylfa 980 2009

Gas-fired Power Stations

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations her Department received prior to the lifting of the moratorium on gas-fired power stations.

Brian Wilson: Representations were made to the Department throughout the period of the stricter consents policy on the value of the policy and its application to particular projects. It is not realistic to detail all these. However the ministerial decisions of particular cases are a matter of public record.

Construction Skills Certification Scheme

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much public funding, including EU funding has been made available to the Construction Skills Certification Scheme in each year since its inception.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 18 March 2002
	CSCS Ltd. is an independent company limited by guarantee. The Department has not provided any public funding to CSCS. Overall funding is a matter for them.
	The inquiry has been passed to CSCS with the request that they respond directly.

Women Engineers

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what plans she has to encourage women engineers back to work who have taken time off to raise families;
	(2)  what plans she has to promote an increase in the number of women entering the engineering profession.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 19 March 2002
	The DTI Promoting SET for Women unit works closely with the WISE campaign on a number of projects designed to attract more girls into engineering. We are funding a pilot mentoring scheme by WES/AWISE which will encourage and support both entrants and returners to science and engineering careers.

Export Licence Requirements

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether export licence requirements extend to the production in countries outside the EU of weapons, vehicles and equipment otherwise licensable in the military list as part of offset deals on the sale of services and intellectual property involving UK firms.

Nigel Griffiths: An export licence is not required from the Department of Trade and Industry's Export Control Organisation to manufacture items outside the UK. However, where the product to be manufactured under commercial licence has a potential military use, the UK exporter might require an export licence before the goods and technology necessary for the establishment and operation of the licensed production facility can be supplied from the UK.
	The Government have made it clear that an export licence will not be issued where to do so would be in contravention of the Consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria, including where there is a clear risk that the finished products could be used for internal repression, international aggression, or diverted to an undesirable end-user.

Company Law Review

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made with regard to the company law review; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for State for Competition, consumers and Markets to the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Brian Cotter) on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 982W.

Inward Investment

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the British percentage was of inward investment into the EU from (a) the USA, (b) the G7 countries and (c) Japan in each of the last 20 years.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is in the following table:
	
		UK share of G7 foreign direct investment into the EU 1994–99 -- Percentage of stock level at year end
		
			  USA G7 total(37) Japan 
		
		
			 1994 37.1 20.6 23.2 
			 1995 34.6 19.3 23.2 
			 1996 36.0 20.7 25.0 
			 1997 40.1 24.4 27.9 
			 1998 34.5 21.1 25.9 
			 1999 33.0 21.5 14.9 
		
	
	(37) G7 comprises of UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and USA.
	Note:
	Eurostat Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) statistics have been quoted to ensure consistent comparison between countries and are based on inward FDI stock figures as reported by individual EU member states. Outward FDI stocks in the EU published by other non-EU country statistical offices may differ from those published by Eurostat. For example, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis statistics reported than in 1999 the UK received 41 per cent. of US outward FDI stocks. There are a number of widely recognised technical reasons why such apparent discrepancies arise.
	Source:
	Eurostat New Cronos database.

EU Tariffs

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the cost to (a) EU countries and (b) the UK economy of tariffs applied by the EU in the last year for which figures are available.

Patricia Hewitt: In 2000, the latest full year for which figures are available, on total UK imports of £222.6 billion the customs duty charged was £1.8 billion.
	In the same year on total EU imports, including UK imports, of £1,525 billion, the customs duty charged was £8.9 billion.

EU Tariffs

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many tariffs the EU has applied to goods from outside the EU in each of the last 20 years.

Patricia Hewitt: The European Union's 2002 Common Customs Tariff has 10,400 lines. A positive "most favoured nation" "full" rate of duty is payable on 8,270 of these lines, although in most cases one or more "preferential" (i.e. lower) rates of duty is payable on imports from a range of countries. On the remaining 2,130 lines, no duty is payable.
	Equivalent information for earlier years is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Broadband Access

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the (a) total number and (b) percentage of (i) homes and (ii) businesses in the UK that have broadband access.

Patricia Hewitt: A map showing availability of broadband services in the UK was contained in the UK Online annual report 2001. The report states that 60–65 per cent. of the population (equating to around 15 million households) is now covered by at least one affordable broadband technology.
	Oftel have reported that there were some 350,000 subscribers to ADSL and cable modem services as at 25 January 2002.
	DTI's Business in the Information Age International Benchmarking Report 2001 provides information on the information and communication technologies used by businesses.
	Copies of these documents have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Universal Bank

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the progress made in establishing the universal bank.

Patricia Hewitt: Progress continues to be made on universal banking services.

Trade Union Membership

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many and what percentage of workers belonged to trade unions in each of the last 20 years; and what the figures were broken down into (a) public and (b) private sector workers.

Patricia Hewitt: The number of workers who are members of a trade union can be estimated annually from the results of the autumn Labour Force Survey. The number and percentage of workers in Great Britain is given in the table. Data are available for union membership from 1990 and can be sub-divided for the private and public sector from 1993.
	
		Union membership in Great Britain, 1990 to 2001
		
			  Workers(38) in employment Workers(38) in private sector Workers(38) in public sector  
			 Year Members (Thousand) Union density Members (Thousand) Union density Members (Thousand) Union density 
		
		
			 1990 8,835 33.9 — — — — 
			 1991 8,602 33.6 — — — — 
			 1992 7,956 32.2 — — — — 
			 1993 7,767 31.5 3,920 23.7 3,847 64.4 
			 1994 7,530 30.1 3,825 22.5 3,705 63.6 
			 1995 7,309 28.8 3,651 21.3 3,658 61.4 
			 1996 7,244 28.2 3,629 20.6 3,615 60.9 
			 1997 7,154 27.3 3,605 19.7 3,548 60.8 
			 1998 7,152 26.9 3,590 19.2 3,561 60.7 
			 1999 7,257 27.0 3,649 19.2 3,609 59.8 
			 2000 7,321 27.0 3,600 18.7 3,720 60.0 
			 2001 7,270 26.5 3,606 18.4 3,664 58.1 
		
	
	(38) Includes all those in employment, excluding members of the armed forces, unpaid family workers, and those on college based schemes.

European Trade Mark Law

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2001, Official Report, column 944W, what progress has been made towards liberalising European trade mark law.

Patricia Hewitt: The European Parliament has called on the Commission to report on the implications for industry, consumers and employment of liberalisation of European trade mark law and to submit detailed proposals by the end of this year.
	In the meantime, we continue to work bilaterally with our European partners to build the necessary consensus for change. Unanimity is needed for change to the Community Trade Mark Regulation. Although some member states support change, a number remain unconvinced.

Low Carbon Vehicles

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Government have spent on the research and development of low carbon vehicles since 1997.

Brian Wilson: The DTI's Foresight Vehicle Programme is supporting 20 "low carbon vehicles" projects valued at £25.5 million of which Government's contribution is £9.7 million. The projects include work on advanced lightweight materials, alternative systems for powertrain such as hybridisation and improved conventional internal combustion engines. The Foresight Vehicle Programme is carrying out technology road mapping which will identify R&D priorities for future phases of Foresight Vehicle and inform requirements such as those outlined in the Government's draft "Powering Future Vehicles" strategy. The strategy seeks to accelerate the transition in the UK to a low carbon transport systems.
	Since 1992, the DTI's Advanced Fuel Cells Programme has supported industrial R&D in the fuel cells area including stack development, fuel processing and systems development for both transport and stationary power generation applications. Some of the work is generic so it is not possible to be precise regarding the expenditure specifically relating to vehicles. It is estimated that since 1997 work which is wholly or primarily relevant to vehicle applications of fuel cells has amounted to £2.4 million.
	The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council supports research into transport operations, manufacture and management. Areas covered include improving engine efficiencies, road management, environmental impacts, social inclusion and safety. The £10 million EPSRC research portfolio covering transport operations and management consists of 97 active grants, of which an estimated £500,000 per year relates to low carbon vehicles. EPSRC also supports fuel cell research. The research portfolio is shared between engineering, chemistry and materials programmes of the EPSRC which estimates overall support of around £2 million a year for fuel cell research across all programmes.

Renewable Energy

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  if the proposed renewables obligations fund over three years includes research into the nuclear option;
	(2)  what proportion of the renewables obligation fund is earmarked for (a) solar voltaics, (b) offshore wind and (c) tidal and/or sea powered power generation.

Brian Wilson: The renewables obligation will require licensed electricity suppliers to demonstrate through a system of renewables obligation certificates (ROCs) that they have bought a specified proportion of their electricity from renewable sources. Alternatively, suppliers may meet their obligation through the independent market purchase of ROCs. The renewables obligation will thus provide a substantial market incentive for the UK renewable energy industry as a whole. Electricity suppliers will be free to choose the sources of renewable electricity that enable them to meet their obligation most cost-effectively.
	Suppliers who do not present the required number of ROCs will be required to make a buy-out payment corresponding to the extent that their purchases of renewable electricity fall short of the specified amount. The buy-out price will be set initially at 3 pence per kilowatt hour. The proceeds from the buy-out payments will be recycled to suppliers in proportion to the number of ROCs presented. The recycling of the buy-out payments will thus provide an extra incentive to suppliers to meet their obligation.
	Separately from the operation of the renewables obligation, the Government are providing over £260 million over the three-year period to March 2004 for the direct support of renewable energy initiatives, including capital grants for early demonstration schemes, and research grants.
	Of this direct support money, £20 million has been specifically allocated to solar photovoltaics (PV), £74 million to offshore wind, and £5 million to wave and tidal energy; in addition, finance for research and development projects in these areas will be available through the DTI's Sustainable Energy Programme and through the Research Councils.
	The Government do not currently fund nuclear fission research and development, but are currently active participants in a range of international forums that cover nuclear fission including the OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the EU's Euratom Framework Programme and the Generation IV initiative.

Renewable Energy

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on plans to utilise renewable energy sources within Wales.

Brian Wilson: The Government's role in the promotion of renewable energy is to set the framework but leave the market to decide on the type and location of projects to be pursued.
	The Renewables Obligation will apply to Wales and England (with a corresponding arrangement in Scotland), providing an assured market for renewables until 2027. Subject to parliamentary approval, we anticipate that the Renewables Obligation will come into effect on 1 April 2002.
	Consent for projects under 50 MW, except offshore wind, is normally a matter for local determination. For larger projects in Wales as in England, I have the appropriate consent powers, which are exercised after extensive consultation with all interested parties, including the Welsh Assembly Government.
	Wales has much potential for renewable energy projects. The regional assessment conducted for Wales indicated that Wales could deliver between 4 per cent. and 13 per cent. of the UK Renewables Obligation target. It also said:
	"Whether the higher end of the target range is reached will depend almost entirely on the deployment of wind energy and biomass schemes".

Nuclear Reactor Design

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evaluations her Department has made of new nuclear reactor and nuclear power plant design and operation in (a) South Africa, (b) America and (c) Canada.

Brian Wilson: The UK is involved in international nuclear systems work including the Generation IV International Forum (GIF), started by the United States Department of Energy (USDOE) to promote and develop better longer-term nuclear reactor designs. South Africa, America and Canada are all among the 10 countries that participate in the forum.
	The evaluation of specific new reactor designs is a matter for UK generating companies and the market, as with all generation options.

UK Arms Sales

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list arms sales from UK companies to India and Pakistan approved since 1997.

Nigel Griffiths: The Department of Trade and Industry's Export Control Organisation does not record arms sales. It records details of all export licences issued and refused, which are published in the Government's annual reports on strategic export controls, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
	The granting of a licence does not necessarily translate into a sale.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people have been employed by her Department in each of the last three years under (a) the New Deal for Young People, (b) the New Deal for the Over 50s and (c) the New Deal for Lone Parents; and at what cost, listed by category, to public funds.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows:
	
		
			 Scheme 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Young People 4 1 8 
			 Over 50s 0 0 1 
			 Lone Parents 0 0 2 
		
	
	In addition to the above, my Department has appointed 10 New Deal participants from the 25+ scheme during the same period.
	New Deal recruits are appointed to existing vacancies so extra costs to public funds are limited to the subsidy, where appropriate, and any additional training and development which may be needed. The cost of the latter cannot be readily identified.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people employed by her Department under the new deal for young people in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseekers' allowance or other benefits.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department has appointed 26 new dealers during the period in question, 24 of whom are, or have been, employed by the Department on an unsubsidised basis. Of those new deal participants appointed under the scheme, four have been successful in securing permanent employment with the Department, while six others have departed, Of the latter, it is not possible to identify how many remained in alternative unsubsidised employment, or returned to jobseeker's allowance or other benefits.

Creche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what creche facilities are provided by her Department; and at what cost.

Patricia Hewitt: The following are DTI's child care provisions for its staff.
	Holiday Playscheme
	Departmental staff in central London have access to a 32-place holiday playscheme for a minimum of 54 days each year. Staff contribute £14.00 per place towards the £31.00 daily fee. DTI HQ staff in Cardiff have access to a local Easter and summer holiday playscheme for a contribution of £8.00 per place towards the £16.00 daily fee.
	Nursery Places
	Departmental staff in central London have access to six nursery places (divided equally between under 2s and over 2-year-olds) at the inter-departmental nursery. The weekly cost to the Department for a full-time place for an under 2-year-old is £200.50 and £169.00 for 2-year-olds and over. Staff contribution is levied at a flat rate of £103 per week for a full-time place, irrespective of the age of the child. Children attending the nursery on a part-time basis are charged a pro rata rate.
	DTI's total expenditure on child care for this financial year is £43,995.00.

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the (a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects which have been delayed.

Patricia Hewitt: The following projects have been delayed:
	Private finance initiative: The redevelopment of the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington.
	Public private partnerships: British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for PPP contracts let by her Department in each of the last four years; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department has not let any PPP contracts in the last four years.

Human Rights Act

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases have been brought against her Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what has been the cost in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments.

Patricia Hewitt: We do not collect central records of all cases in which the Human Rights Act 1998 is relied on. Human rights are now integrated in the general law and are rarely the sole basis for a challenge. We do monitor centrally those cases which we consider may be of particular significance to this Department.
	We do not collect separate information centrally about the costs to public funds, legal fees or compensation payments in cases which include a human rights issue. In most cases it will be difficult to single out associated costs relating to the human rights element.

Public Service Agreement

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which public service agreement targets that are scheduled to be met in 2002 will not be achieved by the due date.

Patricia Hewitt: Information abut progress on public service agreement targets will be published in the DTI's 2002 departmental report.

FYR Macedonia

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements are in place to encourage trade between the UK and FYR Macedonia.

Nigel Griffiths: In June 2001, Trade Partners UK organised representation of 12 UK companies at the Skopje International Fair. Trade Partners UK also arranged a programme for representatives of two major Macedonian food importers visiting the International Food Exhibition in London.
	A similar programme of events is planed for 2002–03.
	In addition, Trade Partners UK offers a full range of services to exporters by way of inquiry handling, briefing, and general advice and support for market entry.

Pollution (Irish Sea)

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list pollution incidents involving discharges above 0.01 tonnes in the Irish sea from 9 July 2001 to the latest available date, stating the (a) date, (b) size of incident, (c) name of company reporting the spill and (d) name of the company responsible in each case.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The information relating to oil spill incidents in the Irish sea basin, reported to the Department of Trade and Industry, from 9 July 2001 to the present date is as follows.
	
		
			 Date Amount Reported by Responsible company 
		
		
			 14 September 2001 0.1 BHP BHP 
		
	
	DTI only receives reports for oil spills reported from or attributed to offshore installations.

Greenwich Mean Time

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will confine GMT to the period between the last Sunday in November and the last Sunday in January.

Alan Johnson: There are no plans to reduce the period of GMT. The start and end dates of summer time are harmonised across EC member states through a European directive.

India

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what joint programmes her Department has to promote bilateral trade with India.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The full range of services of British Trade International—both for trade and investment—are available to British companies seeking to do business with India which is a very important market for the United Kingdom. Trade Partners UK is responsible for helping UK exporters and outward investment, while Invest UK seeks to attract Indian investors, who are coming to the UK in growing numbers.
	The Indo-British Partnership (IBP) was created in 1993 to encourage trade and investment between our two countries. Since the inception of the IBP UK-India trade has grown by 45 per cent. and, including invisibles, is now worth £5 billion a year.
	The Enterprise Initiative: India is a current Trade Partners UK programme designed to help small and medium sized UK companies to enter the Indian market. The initiative offers a variety of services to British exporters.

Rail Lines (Kent)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many meetings the South East England Development Agency has had since its inception with (a) Railtrack, (b) the Strategic Rail Authority and (c) Connex SE to discuss the issue of power shortages and infrastructure planning on the (i) London Victoria to Sittingbourne, (ii) London Bridge to Sittingbourne and (iii) Cannon Street to Sittingbourne railway lines.

Alan Johnson: None.

Fenestration (Self-assessment)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action her Department is taking to enable small traders to join the fenestration self- assessment scheme.

Alan Whitehead: I have been asked to reply.
	I recently made regulations which allow a person registered with the Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme (FENSA) to certify to local authorities that replacement glazing they undertake complies with the Building Regulations. FENSA has been developed by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) in consultation with, among others, key industry representative bodies, local authorities, and my Department.
	From the start it was the Department's requirement that the scheme should be open, fair and cost-effective. Any business of any size is able to join the scheme. All firms are required to pay a standard registration fee of £100, in addition to a vetting fee of £200. The vetting fee is not required however, if the firm has already been vetted by another body which has standards comparable to FENSA. Currently 19 such bodies are recognised. Therefore the majority of firms applying to FENSA do not need to pay the vetting fee. On top of the vetting fee there is an annual fee of £50, and a transaction charge of under £1 per certificate issued to local authorities—£2 if not undertaken electronically. All these costs are exclusive of VAT. Inspection will be undertaken on 1 per cent. of installations, subject to a minimum of two and a maximum of 100. These will cost around £100 per inspection. The firm is also required to purchase Approved Documents L1 and N.
	I do not consider these costs to be punitive. FENSA represents a cost-effective mechanism for companies to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations, while at the same time, providing the necessary safeguards to ensure consumer confidence. Fees set below this level would not allow the necessary number of checks to be undertaken, or the development and maintenance of a satisfactory database which eases the certification process for the installer. I consider that no special measures are required for small traders.

Business Links

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many calls have been received by the Business Links national call centres since April 2001; and what proportion of these were re-directed to each of the local business link providers.

Nigel Griffiths: The Business Link National Contact Centre (BLNCC) has received 52,450 calls between 2 April 2001 and 17 March 2002. Of these calls, 11,560 were referred to Business Link operators, while 26,187 calls were fulfilled by the BLNCC (for example arranging mailing of small business literature). The remaining calls were fulfilled by referral to other sources of expertise (such as Farm Business Advisory Service or the Small Business Service equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). A full breakdown of the number of calls passed on to the local Business Link operators is as follows:
	
		
			 Local business link provider Number of calls 
		
		
			 Bedfordshire 105 
			 Birmingham 193 
			 Black Country 180 
			 Cambridgeshire 191 
			 Cheshire and Warrington 206 
			 County Durham 114 
			 Coventry and Warwickshire 142 
			 Cumbria 810 
			 Derbyshire 167 
			 Devon and Cornwall 556 
			 East Lancashire 156 
			 Essex 268 
			 Gloucestershire 162 
			 Greater Manchester and Wigan 349 
			 Hereford and Worcester 190 
			 Hertfordshire 184 
			 Humberside 90 
			 Kent 218 
			 Leicestershire 210 
			 Lincolnshire 168 
			 London 2,742 
			 Merseyside 144 
			 Milton Keynes, Oxford and Berkshire 295 
			 North and West Lancashire 211 
			 Norfolk 132 
			 North Manchester Chambers Business Services Ltd. 119 
			 North Yorkshire 218 
			 Northamptonshire 94 
			 Northumberland 124 
			 Nottinghamshire 152 
			 Shropshire 119 
			 Somerset 136 
			 South Yorkshire 143 
			 Staffordshire 140 
			 Suffolk 140 
			 Surrey 236 
			 Sussex 250 
			 Tees Valley 65 
			 Tyne and Wear 112 
			 West 147 
			 Wessex (formally Hampshire, Dorset and IOW) 544 
			 West Yorkshire 335 
			 Wiltshire, Swindon and Berkshire 303

Carbon Emissions

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress her Department has made in cutting carbon emissions; and if she will make a statement on the likelihood of the UK achieving its emissions targets set by the Kyoto protocol.

Michael Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
	The UK's Third National Communication on Climate Change, published last October, reports progress with implementing our climate change programme. We have made excellent progress so far in cutting greenhouse emissions which we estimate have fallen by about 13 per cent. between 1990 and 2000. The Climate Change Programme, published in November 2000, outlines a range of policies that we estimate could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 23 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. This is well in excess of our 12.5 per cent. Kyoto target.

Industrial Action

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many days were lost due to industrial action (a) in the public sector and (b) in total in each of the last 20 years.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. John Whittingdale, dated 25 March 2002
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of days lost due to industrial action in the last 20 years. I am replying in his absence. (44783)
	There are no statistics specifically for the public sector but figures on the public administration, education and health industries provide most of the information on the public sector as it is today. The figures are arranged according to the Standard Industrial Classifications of 1968, 1980 and 1992. Because of differences in Standard Industrial Classification coverage and the exclusion of certain industries (e.g. coal and steel) that have dropped out of the public sector since the 1980's, caution needs to be exercised in making comparisons.
	Information is given in the attached table. The way the information is presented reflects the changes in Standard Industrial Classification.
	
		Working days lost due to UK labour disputes -- £000
		
			 SIC 1968 Professional and scientific services; public administration and defence Whole economy 
		
		
			 1981 1,165 4,266 
			 1982 1,201 5,313 
		
	
	
		Working days lost due to UK labour disputes -- £000
		
			 SIC 1980 Public administration, sanitary services, education, medical and health services Whole economy 
		
		
			 1983 121 3,754 
			 1984 786 27,135 
			 1985 990 6,402 
			 1986 460 1,920 
			 1987 945 3,546 
			 1988 290 3,702 
			 1989 2,388 4,128 
			 1990 520 1,903 
			 1991 363 761 
			 1992 329 528 
			 1993 341 649 
		
	
	
		Working days lost due to UK labour disputes -- £000
		
			 SIC 1992 Public administration, education and health and social work Whole economy 
		
		
			 1994 86 278 
			 1995 178 415 
			 1996 295 1,303 
			 1997 65 235 
			 1998 50 282 
			 1999 66 242 
			 2000 221 499 
			 2001P(39) 327 518 
		
	
	(39) 'P' equals provisional

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

GM Crops

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many GM crop trials there were in each constituency in each year since 1990.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 11 February 2002
	Since the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations (1993) came into force in the UK, a total of 193 consents have been issued to release GM crops to the environment for research purposes. These include the farm scale evaluations, national list trials and a number of other research trials. Releases have taken place at about 1,000 different locations as most consents permit trials at more than one release site. We do not have the figures available in the form requested. However, the DEFRA website contains extracts from the public register, which list the locations by grid reference of all releases as part of experimental trials since 1993 and all sites in the farm scale evaluation programme.

Waste

Andrew Bennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with officers from the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority regarding their soil improver product.

Michael Meacher: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no such discussions. However, I met the authority on 11 March and the issue of composting and the soil improver was raised.

Waste

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what work her Department has undertaken to determine final storage quality for the treatment of hazardous waste before acceptance into a hazardous landfill site;
	(2)  what representations she has received against requiring hazardous waste from 2004 to be treated to final storage quality before acceptance into a landfill site;
	(3)  what risk assessment her Department has undertaken on the impact on the environment and on public health of not requiring hazardous waste from 2004 to be pre-tested to final storage quality before acceptance into a landfill site.

Michael Meacher: The Government do not consider that there is as yet a clear or accepted understanding of what is meant by the term "final storage quality". We have therefore not undertaken work to determine what treatment such a standard would require before hazardous waste could be sent to landfill or conducted a risk assessment on the impact of not applying such a standard after July 2004.
	The Environment Agency has produced draft guidance on standards for treatment of hazardous waste going to landfill following implementation of the directive. The guidance is based on a determination of the best practicable environmental option for individual waste streams and, where processes are regulated under the PPC, the obligation to employ best available techniques with regard to the production of wastes and their treatment. The Government consulted on this approach in the Second Consultation paper on Implementation of the Landfill Directive. A wide range of responses were received from consultees including a number arguing against the treatment of hazardous waste to "final storage quality" though interpretation of what was meant by the term varied.
	The standards to which hazardous waste will have to be treated to go to landfill will ultimately be determined by the waste acceptance criteria for hazardous waste landfills which are still under negotiation in Europe.

Waste

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department made of the quantities of hazardous waste that will require treatment in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008, (e) 2009 and (f) 2010.

Michael Meacher: The Department has made no estimates of the amount of hazardous waste that will require treatment from 2005 to 2010.
	At present approximately 53 per cent. of hazardous waste arisings are landfilled. It is estimated that approximately 41 per cent. of current arisings will continue to be able to be landfilled following the implementation of the bans in July 2002. The amount of hazardous waste that will continue to be landfilled beyond July 2004 and will hence need to be pre-treated will depend on a range of factors. These include general trends in hazardous waste arisings, changes to the definition of hazardous waste, the availability of hazardous waste landfill capacity, the availability of alternative disposal routes such as incineration, and implementation of the waste acceptance criteria currently under negotiation in Brussels which will set out what hazardous wastes can go to hazardous waste sites or to separate cells in non- hazardous landfill sites.

Waste

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 217W, on waste disposal, 
	(1)  what steps her Department has taken to meet the target of banning the landfilling of hazardous liquid wastes from July; and for what reason her Department does not hold information on the locations of individual treatment facilities for liquid waste;
	(2)  how many treatment facilities there are in the UK for liquid waste; what assessment her Department has made of the availability of treatment facilities; and what assessment her Department has made of whether the target of banning the landfilling of hazardous liquid wastes from July will be met.

Michael Meacher: The forthcoming Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations will impose the ban on the landfilling of hazardous liquid wastes by making it an offence for landfill site operators to accept such wastes for disposal beyond July 2002.
	The regulation of individual waste treatment facilities is the responsibility of the Environment Agency. The agency holds details of the location of all licensed waste treatment facilities on their central licensing and charging databases but these records do not identify which individual sites are permitted to accept liquid wastes. This information is not held centrally because, for the purposes of regulating the sites, the physical nature of the waste is only significant at the individual site level. Control over the type of waste that can be accepted at any given site and over specific problems associated with handling liquids, is exercised through the conditions of individual licences, details of which are held at local area offices and which could be collated only at disproportionate cost.
	The Department, in conjunction with the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly, has undertaken an assessment of the landfill directive for the future management of wastes banned from landfill.
	The aims and objectives of the study were:
	to identify and evaluate the potential impact of the landfill directive on the management of hazardous wastes and liquid wastes in the UK, and
	to identify and assess the alternative waste management options that may be available to ensure the continued safe management of wastes for which landfilling will be banned under the landfill directive.
	The study found that there was sufficient alternative disposal systems (in use or planned) to cope with the large volume of organic process waste streams requiring diversion from landfill. It also suggested that additional facilities might be required for oily wastes, contaminated soils, and inorganic chemical wastes. A copy of the report will be placed in the Library of both Houses.

Landfill Directive

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the number of new treatment facilities that will be required to achieve compliance with the United Kingdom's obligations under the landfill directive.

Michael Meacher: The Department, in conjunction with the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly, has undertaken an assessment of the implications of the landfill directive for the future management of wastes banned from landfill.
	The aims and objectives of the study were:
	to identify and evaluate the potential impact of the landfill directive on the management of hazardous wastes and liquid wastes in the UK, and
	to identify and assess the alternative waste management options that may be available to ensure the continued safe management of wastes for which landfilling will be banned under the landfill directive.
	The study found that there was sufficient alternative disposal systems (in use or planned) to cope with the large volume of organic process waste streams requiring diversion from landfill. It also suggested that additional facilities might be required for oily wastes, contaminated soils, and inorganic chemical wastes. Copies of the study have been disseminated widely.
	Further work is currently under way to assess the availability of pre-treatment facilities for those hazardous waste streams that can continue to go to landfill after July 2002.

Landfill Directive

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the landfill directive regulations will be laid before Parliament.

Michael Meacher: The Government aim to lay the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations before the Easter recess.

Sewers

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the timetable is for developing and applying criteria for determining long-term investment in sewers.

Michael Meacher: The 10 water and sewerage companies in England and Wales are responsible for managing investment in their sewerage systems, both in capital maintenance and in new provision.
	This Department, the Office of Water Services (Ofwat), Environment Agency, Drinking Water Inspectorate and water companies have worked closely together on a water industry capital maintenance framework, covering sewerage systems as well as other asset systems. A jointly commissioned study will be published in May.
	Ofwat will shortly hold a preliminary consultation on its approach to capital maintenance at the forthcoming review of price limits. Ofwat with the Environment Agency have consulted on enhancements to the serviceability indicators for assets against which companies report to Ofwat. The new indicators will be used for the first time in companies' returns to be made in June 2002 and so provide better information for draft and final business plans.
	Ofwat also issued, on 13 March 2002, "Flooding from sewers—A way forward" which consults on how companies should bring forward investment proposals to address sewer flooding both in the short term before 2005 and in the longer term for the period 2005–10. The consultation ends on 15 June.
	The steps and timetable leading up to setting price limits in 2004 for the period 2005–10 are set out in "Ofwat Forward Programme 2002–03 to 2004–05" which was published on 21 March 2002. This year Ofwat will consult on its approach to the periodic review in October and in December the Government will issue guidance on the policies and programmes requiring investment in sewerage services.

Kirkby Stephen (Sheep)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the sheep at Kirkby Stephen were tested for the foot and mouth (a) virus and (b) antibody before restocking; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 1 March 2002
	All animals used for controlled restocking must come from farms which have been inspected and found free from foot and mouth disease (FMD).
	The sheep used to restock at Kirkby Stephen came from two sources. One source was tested for antibodies in September and in November with negative results on both occasions. The second source was also tested for antibodies in August and November, with negative results on both occasions. Neither flock was tested for virus.

Ofgem

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she has taken to ensure that Ofgem abides by the content and spirit of the Government's departmental guidelines on the integration of environmental policies.

Brian Wilson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Utilities Act 2000 provided for the Secretary of State to issue guidance to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority about the making by the authority of a contribution towards the attainment of social or environmental policies set out in the guidance.
	The Department has consulted on drafts of the guidance, and is now looking afresh at the guidance in the light of the Energy Review report published on 14 February by the Performance and Innovation Unit, which has implications for the guidance.

Parliamentary Questions

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to question 31593 tabled for answer on 29 January regarding a breakdown of the total costs of the foot and mouth epidemic.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 4 March 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 25 February 2002, Official Report, 916W.

Milk Prices

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much dairy farmers received per litre of milk in each of the past 10 years.

Elliot Morley: The table shows the annual average farm-gate milk prices, including bonuses, paid to farmers between 1992 and 2001, for raw milk in the UK.
	
		Annual average UK farm-gate milk prices(40)
		
			  Pence per litre 
		
		
			 1992 20.95 
			 1993 21.97 
			 1994 22.43 
			 1995 24.94 
			 1996 25.02 
			 1997 22.12 
			 1998 19.37 
			 1999 18.35 
			 2000 16.93 
			 2001(41) 19.26 
		
	
	(40) Actual fat content
	(41) Provisional
	Source:
	1992–94 Milk Marketing Boards; 1995 onwards DEFRA

Scottish Executive

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether a Scottish Executive Minister will be a member of the UK delegation to the Environment European Union Council of Ministers meeting on 4 March; and what information is being provided by her Department to guarantee effective pre-council scrutiny by the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 4 March 2002
	A Scottish Executive Minister was not part of the UK delegation at the Environmental Council on 4 March. On the second point, it is the responsibility of the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament to scrutinise Scottish Executive involvement in preparations for EU Council meetings. The Department provides information to Scottish Executive officials as part of that process.

Airports

Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 25 February 2002, Official Report, column 918W, on airport runway capacity, when she will place a copy of the exchange of letters between the Permanent Secretaries in her Department and the DTLR in the Library.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 8 March 2002
	This was deposited in the Library of the House on 11 March.

Air Conditioning

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to notify (a) consultants and (b) producers involved in advising on the installation of air conditioning during refurbishment of Government buildings of the Government's view on hydrofluorocarbons as a non-sustainable technology; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The position of HFCs was made clear in the UK climate change programme that was produced in November 2000. It recognised that HFCs are not sustainable in the long-term and that technological developments may eventually make it possible to replace them in applications where they are used. The programme also stated that HFC emission reduction strategies should not undermine commitments to phase out ozone-depleting substances under the Montreal protocol while making it clear they should only be used where other safe, technically feasible, cost-effective and more environmentally acceptable alternatives do not exist. This position is reflected in the advice make available on the Greening Government website for managers on the Government estate, consultants and manufacturers of air conditioning systems. However, there may be scope under the EC procurement rules for Government Departments to work more closely with their suppliers and this is one of the issues that is being considered by the cross-Government Sustainable Procurement Group recently established by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Green Classification

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to refuse the classification of green to a Government building if the latter procures refrigerants and air conditioners in a manner that conflicts with the Government's objectives on climate change.

Michael Meacher: There is already a requirement on Government Departments to contribute to our climate change objectives by achieving high ratings on new buildings and major refurbishments under the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). BREEAM seeks to discourage the unnecessary use of cooling in buildings through a range of credits relating to emissions of CO 2 . There are also specific credits for use of non-ozone depleting refrigerants and leakage prevention systems. The method does not at the moment discourage refrigerants with a high global warming potential as the alternatives that are currently available are not always appropriate. However, the issue is being monitored as part of the annual review of BREEAM.

Food Imports

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of (a) organic and (b) non-organic (i) dairy products, (ii) meat, (iii) fruit, (iv) vegetables, (v) cereals and (vi) eggs sold in the UK in the last 12 months were imported; what assessment she has made of the proportion of these products that could be grown in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 11 March 2002
	Official figures are not available on the proportion of organic sales that are imported. The following table provides estimates produced by the Soil Association in their Organic Food and Farming Report 2001.
	
		
			  Percentage of organic sales imported 
		
		
			 Dairy products 35 
			 Meat 45 
			 Fruit and vegetables 85 
			 Cereals (and baked products) 80 
			 Eggs 10

Rural Work Force

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the rural work force were employed in (a) agriculture, (b) rural tourism, (c) rural public sector and (d) rural private sector jobs by category in each year since 1990; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: The table identifies the proportion of the rural work force employed in agriculture, tourism, public sector and private sector in England between 1995 and 2000. Data are not available for other years.
	
		
			  (a) Agriculture (b) Tourism (c) Public sector (d) Private sector 
		
		
			 1995 — 25 26 49 
			 1996 — 24 26 49 
			 1997 5 23 25 48 
			 1998 3 23 26 48 
			 1999 3 22 26 49 
			 2000 3 24 26 48 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Agriculture—agriculture and fishing from SIC 1992 broad industrial groups. Data for 1995 and 1996 are not available on a comparable basis.
	2. Tourism—distribution, hotels and restaurants from SIC 1992 broad industrial groups (best proxy measure). There are no data specifically on rural tourism.
	3. Public sector—public administration, education and health from SIC 1992 broad industrial groups.
	4. Private sector—other six categories within SIC 1992.
	5. Rural areas are defined as the rural local authority districts and unitary authorities as classified by the Rural Development Commission and currently used by the Countryside Agency.
	Sources:
	1995–97 data from Annual Employment Survey via NOMIS.
	1998–2000 data from Annual Business Inquiry via NOMIS.

Kyoto Agreement

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress towards implementation of the Kyoto agreement.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 13 March 2002
	Agreement at the climate change talks in Bonn and Marrakesh in 2001 on the detailed rules for implementation of the Kyoto protocol opened the way for ratification and entry into force of the protocol. In order for the Kyoto protocol to enter into force, it must be ratified by at least 55 countries, including countries accounting for at least 55 per cent. of industrialised countries' emissions in 1990. Without US participation, it is essential for both Russia and Japan to ratify as well as the EU.
	A European Community decision to ratify Kyoto was adopted on 4 March. This paved the way for the UK and the other EU member states to complete their own ratification procedures. On 7 March, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs made a statement to the House setting in motion the process of UK ratification. Once the protocol has been before Parliament for 21 sitting days, the Foreign Secretary will be in a position to sign the ratification instrument and will do so on or shortly after 19 April. For legal and presentational reasons, the European Community and each of its member states have agreed to deposit their instruments of ratification with the UN Depository simultaneously. Since entry into force of the protocol will occur only 90 days after the prescribed number of ratification instruments have been deposited, the aim is to do this by early June at the latest to allow entry into force by the World Summit on Sustainable Development. We are encouraging other countries to work to this deadline.
	The UK is making strong progress with implementing its climate change programme which we estimate could reduce our emissions by 23 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. This is significantly over and above our 12.5 per cent. Kyoto target.
	The UK has set a domestic goal to exceed this target through the measures set out in the Government's Climate Change Programme, published in November 2000. This aims to cut CO 2 emissions alone by 20 per cent.—we are well on course to achieve this and shall continue to evaluate our progress regularly. Measures set out in the UK Climate Change Programme aim to drive emission reductions over the next decade and into the future. Some examples include: the climate change levy, a new Energy Efficiency Commitment, an obligation to increase the production of energy from renewable sources by 10 per cent. by 2020 and an emissions trading scheme which is due to go live in April.

Canals

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the use of canals by industry; and what plans there are to improve the canal infrastructure to encourage industry to use them.

Michael Meacher: The Freight Study Group was set up by the Government in November 2000 to examine the scope for increasing freight traffic on the inland waterways of England and Wales. My noble Friend the Lord Whitty is considering the Group's report with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Mr. Jamieson), and will make an announcement in due course.

Air Pollution

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will indicate, in respect of the new risk-based regulation methodology being developed for air pollution, who is carrying out the work; when this process began; when it will end; and if she will place a copy of related documentation in the Library.

Michael Meacher: Risk and Policy Analysts Ltd. were commissioned by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions in June 2000 to develop a methodology for risk-based regulation in relation to the Local Air Pollution Control system. Their report was published in November 2000 and was placed on the DETR website and is now to be found on the DEFRA website. The same firm was commissioned in May last year to undertake trials of the methodology recommended out of the four drawn up by the first stage of their work. The report is currently being finalised and will be placed on the DEFRA website in due course. I will decide the next steps on receipt of the report.

EU Policy Reform

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her objectives are regarding reform of the (a) Common Agricultural Policy and (b) Common Fisheries Policy.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 14 March 2002
	On the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, our goal is to reduce the overall burden of the CAP, delivering better value for money to taxpayers and consumers; greater reflection of animal welfare concerns; a better deal for the environment; and a better deal for farmers.
	We want to see market price support and production controls phased out, with transitional support payments to help farmers to adjust. This should be complemented by a shift towards the "second pillar" of the CAP, thus expanding the resources available for targeted support for rural development and agri-environment schemes.
	Our primary objective for the Common Fisheries Policy must be for a policy which is both economically and environmentally sustainable and one which involves stakeholders more closely in management decisions affecting them. Only in that way will the CFP attract support and credibility from fishermen, ensure responsible stock management and give the promise of a viable future. I strongly agree with the Commission's conclusions in their Green Paper on the operation of the CFP that it is not meeting its objectives. It is failing to provide an adequate living for many fishermen and is failing to conserve fish stocks. The forthcoming review of the CFP will give the opportunity not only to put right what has gone wrong but also to consider how the CFP should develop over the coming years.

EU Water Framework Directive

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department has received concerning the projected costs of implementing the EU Water Framework Directive in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: A preliminary assessment of the costs and benefits of implementing the directive was set out in the first consultation paper issued jointly by the then Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the National Assembly for Wales. The study estimated total costs for England and Wales in the range of £2 billion to £9.2 billion; benefits in the range of £1.6 billion to £6.2 billion. A copy of the paper is in the House Library.
	A number of respondents to the consultation paper indicated that they had concerns about the cost to their industries of implementing the directive. A large majority of those raising concerns were from the farming industry.
	A summary report of responses to the first consultation paper will be published as part of a second consultation paper on implementation of the directive later this year. Individual responses will also be available for inspection.
	Implementation of the directive in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and with respect to the devolved functions in Wales, are matters for the Scottish Executive, the Northern Ireland Executive and the National Assembly for Wales. The Government and the National Assembly for Wales are working jointly to implement the directive in England and Wales. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, implementation of the directive is being managed wholly by the Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Executive.

Nitrates

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the average annual percentage change in the area of land required to spread a one tonne load of manure on farmland designated as being located in a nitrate vulnerable zone in the last five years.

Michael Meacher: There have been controls of applying organic manures in nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs) since December 1998.
	Since then, there have been no changes in the area of land required to spread manure in a NVZ. The controls require farmers to remain within annual whole-farm limits for applying organic manure, allowing maximum nitrogen loadings of 250 kg/ha of total N on grassland and 210 kg/ha of total N on arable land.
	From 19 December 2002 the maximum loading for arable land in existing NVZs (but not in new NVZs) will be reduced from 210 kg/ha to 170 kg/ha. At the maximum spreading rate permitted in a NVZ, any given amount of manure will then match the capacity of 24 per cent. more arable land than at present.
	The N content of livestock manures depends on the number and type of livestock on individual farms. Farmers in existing NVZs make use of "Manure Planning in NVZs", available through DEFRA publications (08459 556000) or the internet (via a web link at http:// www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/quality/nitrate). This document contains simple calculations to identify the amount of manure delivering a particular nitrogen loading.

Nitrates

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to announce her Department's decision on the amount of farmland to be designated as nitrate vulnerable zones; and when she expects to implement the nitrate vulnerable zone directive.

Michael Meacher: The responses to the public consultation on options for implementing the nitrates directive are currently being analysed and we expect to publish the results, together with our decisions, by May 2002.
	I anticipate that measures to implement the directive in new areas, to comply with a European Court Judgment, will come into force from 19 December 2002. Measures to implement the directive have been in force in existing nitrate vulnerable zones since December 1998.

Nitrates

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms have been found to have exceeded acceptable nitrate levels in the United Kingdom for each of the last five years; and where they are.

Michael Meacher: The Environment Agency's water quality monitoring data, aggregated from the years 1996–2000 inclusive, indicate that farmers across about 80 per cent. of England contribute to the greatest nitrate pollution problems. There is no information available about nitrate levels on individual farms.
	An indicative map of these areas was included in the DEFRA consultation document "How Should England Implement the 1991 Nitrates Directive" published in December 2001.

Farmers' Markets

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to begin the certification of farmers' markets; if she will make a statement on the links established with regulatory authorities to ensure maintenance of standards; and what powers are vested in the regulatory authorities to restrict unauthorised traders from trading at farmers' markets.

Elliot Morley: The certification of farmers' markets is a private initiative by the National Association of Farmers' Markets (NAFM). The Department has, however, provided grant under the Agriculture Development Scheme to help fund the development and implementation of the scheme. We understand that the Local Authority Co-ordinating body on food and Trading Standards were involved in the drawing up of the certification handbook produced by NAFM.
	The regulatory authorities have no specific powers to restrict traders from trading at farmers' markets. However, there may be scope for action to be taken under the general provisions of the Trade Description Act and the Food Safety Act.

Beef

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations the Government have made to the EC on relaxing EU rules on the export of beef.

Elliot Morley: The Government have made a number of recent representations to the European Commission, in particular concerning a relaxation of the dedication requirement of the Date-based Export Scheme so that establishments could be dedicated to export on certain days, rather than full time. A detailed paper was submitted on 5 March and we expect to discuss it with the Commission tomorrow 26 March.

Beef

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if imports of beef from animals over 30-months-old at the time of slaughter are banned; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 18 March 2002
	Beef from cattle aged over 30 months at slaughter may be imported from any country, but I understand from the Food Standards Agency that it may only be sold for human consumption if it comes from animals that were born, reared and slaughtered in a prescribed list of countries that have historically supplied the UK and in which there is no history of BSE. The list is kept under review, for example in the light of on-going European Union assessments of geographical risk.

Territorial Forces

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many members of staff in her Department are members of the territorial forces; and if she has a strategy to encourage members of staff to become members of the territorial forces.

Elliot Morley: Available records show that four members of staff are members of the territorial forces.
	The Department actively supports its staff in giving more time to their communities and is keen to raise the profile of volunteering. Staff are allowed varying amounts of paid time off for voluntary public duties and for service in the territorial forces.

Packaging Waste

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if the United Kingdom has met the requirements of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  when she will publish the recovery and recycling targets, under the Packaging Waste Regulations, for the current calendar year.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 15 March 2002
	The EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste—94/62/EC—was implemented in Great Britain by the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (as amended).
	In order to comply with the requirements in the directive, recovery and recycling targets for 2001 under the packaging regulations were 56 per cent. for recovery and 18 per cent. for material-specific recycling of packaging waste. Data received to date suggest that, if obligated parties meet their obligations, these targets should be met.
	I will be announcing the recovery and recycling targets for 2002 very soon.

Recycling

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the criteria for local authority bids will be announced with regard to the allocation of the £140 million recycling funds for 2002–03 and 2003–04.

Michael Meacher: Final decisions on how we will distribute the fund have been made, following the results of the consultation. Officials have been working on the details of putting in place arrangements for distributing the funds.
	Results of the consultation, and information on how the fund will be administered, will be published by the end of March. When this information is published, it will also be posted on the DEFRA website.

Compost

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidelines she has set for the disposal and use of lower grade compost that will be unfit for agricultural use.

Michael Meacher: The recovery or disposal of waste, including lower grade composted waste, must be carried out in compliance with the controls in place to fulfil the requirements of the waste framework directive. The main controls are set out in Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (the 1994 Regulations). We have issued guidance on these controls in DOE Circular 11/94; and statutory guidance to the Environment Agency on waste management licensing in Waste Management Paper Number 4.
	Waste compost may be spread on land for agricultural benefit or ecological improvement under the terms of the licensing exemption provided in paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 to the 1994 Regulations and registered with the Environment Agency. The spreading of waste compost in these circumstances is classified as a waste recovery operation. The disposal of waste compost must be carried out under the terms of a licence issued by the Environment Agency.
	The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has commissioned research investigating the markets for composts fit for restricted use, which will include those unsuitable for use in agriculture. The work will assess how much material could potentially be applied to various land use types and identify key issues associated with establishing quality standards for these materials.

Hemswell Cliff

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultation took place between the Intervention Board, her Department and the Home Office before the announcement that the Hemswell Cliff site was a possible site for an asylum seekers' accommodation centre.

Elliot Morley: No consultations took place between DEFRA and these bodies prior to the Home Office announcement of the potential sites for trial accommodation centres. The Home Office will take a wide range of factors, including environmental, health and safety issues, into account at every site before final decisions are made.

Intervention Board

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total tonnage is that can be stored in refrigerated stores available to the Intervention Board.

Elliot Morley: The Rural Payments Agency currently has two Government owned stores, Hemswell Cliff and Locharbriggs near Dumfries the combined capacity of these is 15,000 tonnes. In addition commercial storage is acquired as necessary.

Staff (Local Elected Representatives)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many members of staff at her Department are locally elected democratic representatives; and if she has a strategy for her Department to encourage members of staff to become locally elected democratic representatives.

Elliot Morley: Available records show that one member of staff is a locally elected representative.
	The Department actively supports its staff in giving more time to their communities. Staff are allowed varying amounts of paid time off for voluntary public duties, including service as locally elected representatives.

Welfare of Laying Hens Directive

Matthew Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what extra welfare standards (a) have been implemented and (b) are planned to be introduced by the Government over and above the EU Directive 1999/74/EC on the welfare of laying hens.

Elliot Morley: It is intended that the Welfare of Laying Hens Directive 1999/74/EC will be implemented in England without being added to in any way. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will follow suit. If changes are proposed, there will be a full public consultation.
	A new welfare code for laying hens will accompany the regulations.

Welfare of Laying Hens Directive

Matthew Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Directive 1999/74/EC on the welfare of laying hens will be fully implemented.

Elliot Morley: An implementing statutory instrument in respect of English legislation is being prepared and will shortly be presented to Parliament. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are following a similar timetable.

Rio Earth Summit (Implementation)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to re-affirm the Rio Declaration.

Michael Meacher: The Government, in common with the rest of the international community, is working on the basis that the Johannesburg Summit is about implementing Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration rather than renegotiating them. The Johannesburg intergovernmental political declaration should therefore reaffirm and reinforce the Rio Declaration.

Rio Earth Summit (Implementation)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps have been taken by the Government since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 to (a) set goals on environmental protection and (b) improve eco-efficiency and resource productivity relating to fresh water issues; and what these (i) goals and (ii) improvements have been.

Michael Meacher: In 1999 the Government published its strategy for sustainable development for the UK, "A Better Quality of Life". This strategy is supported by a core set of around 150 indicators of sustainable development. A subset of 15 headline indicators focuses on specific issues and reflects targets against which progress is measured and reported annually. River water quality is one of the headline indicators. Over the last decade, general river quality in the UK has either improved or remained high.
	In 1995 the Environment Act amended the Water Industry Act 1991 to place water companies under a statutory duty to promote the efficient use of water by their customers. Ofwat enforces this duty and requires companies to produce five-year water efficiency plans on which progress is reported annually. Following the Water Summit in 1997, Ofwat set annual leakage targets for water companies, which have resulted in a reduction of about 30 per cent. Further details are contained in the Ofwat report 'Leakage and the efficient use of water 2000–01', a copy of which is in the Library of the House. In addition, the Government runs the Envirowise programme, which promotes resource productivity—including water use—by industry. This resulted in over 29 million m 3 of water being saved last year.

Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government have taken since the United Nations General Assembly Special Session in 1997 towards the objectives of (a) poverty eradication and (b) sustainable production and consumption patterns; and what steps are planned towards further progress on these objectives.

Michael Meacher: The issues of poverty eradication and sustainable production and consumption have been addressed by a number of key strategies published since 1997. In particular, the UK Government's Sustainable Development Strategy, 'A Better Quality of Life' sets out an overarching strategy for achieving sustainable development through social progress which recognises the needs of everyone, effective protection of the environment, prudent use of natural resources, and maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment. It includes a set of indicators to measure progress. The 2001 Annual Report on progress with the strategy was published last week.
	Related strategies include: the Government's poverty and social exclusion strategy, set out and monitored in the annual 'Opportunity for All' reports; the Climate Change Programme; the Waste Strategy for England; and the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy, which sets out the framework for addressing the problem of households who cannot afford to keep warm.
	In the future, the Government's work will include taking forward the recommendations in the reports to Government from the Performance and Innovation Unit covering Resource Productivity, Energy, and the forthcoming one on Waste.

Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what preparations her Department is making for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

Michael Meacher: DEFRA, working closely with other Departments, is leading on the UK's domestic and international preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). The Department is represented on MISC18, the Cabinet Committee set up to co-ordinate, develop and deliver the Government's strategy for WSSD. DEFRA also chairs two official level groups which co-ordinate preparations for the summit and will be attending the third preparatory meeting in New York starting on 25 March.
	DEFRA has also led on the development of a cross-Whitehall communications strategy to raise awareness of the summit. We are working closely with local authorities, NGOs, business and other organisations to ensure that we engage a wide range of stakeholders in the summit. DEFRA has also developed the Government sustainable development website (www.sustainable- development.gov.uk) to include information on the WSSD.

Organic Farming

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 12 March 2002, Official Report, column 936W, PQ4610, when she will publish her organic action plan.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 18 March 2002
	An announcement about the Organic Food and Farming action plan will be made soon.

Timber

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to curb the importing of illegally cut timber.

Michael Meacher: Combating illegal logging requires effort from both timber producing and consuming countries. Timber producing countries are responsible for defining and enforcing the national legislative and regulatory frameworks that define legality.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) is working with a number of timber exporting countries to help them improve governance and strengthen forest law enforcement. We are also working to develop capacity for the implementation of timber certification schemes in some producing countries.
	Domestically, the UK is working to ensure that the import of endangered timber species is in full compliance with CITES, the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species. We are also implementing a new Government timber procurement policy that seeks to procure forest products only from legal and sustainable sources.
	The UK has shown leadership under the G8 Action Programme on Forests in promoting bilateral arrangements with timber producing countries whereby countries work together to tackle illegal logging and associated trade. We are currently negotiating the first of these with Indonesia. We hope that bilateral agreements will lead to regional and, eventually, an international agreement that will have a big impact on illegal trade.

Timber

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the success of the Greening Government scheme in encouraging Government Departments to purchase timber from independently certified sustainable sources; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: The Department has commissioned a report on the scale of timber procurement activities undertaken by central Government Departments and the improved guidance required to help buyers purchase timber and wood products from sustainable and legal sources. The final report is not due to be published until the summer of 2002. The timber trade, non-governmental organisations and other interested stakeholders are being consulted on the options for assessing product supplier claims on the sustainability of the source of the wood in their products. A consultation paper has been published on the website of the Tropical Forest Forum in advance of an open discussion on 25 March 2002. Written comments have been invited too. Following completion of the report it is intended that Departments will be given clearer guidelines including how to monitor and report on the evidence presented by suppliers. Departments will be asked to include information on wood product procurement in their returns for the annual reports on Sustainable Development in Government. This should enable their success in purchasing timber from independently certified sources to be evaluated.

Flood Defences

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial assistance is made available by the European Union to assist member states in the provision of coastal and inland flood defences.

Elliot Morley: No significant financial assistance is made available by the European Union to assist member states in the provision of flood and coastal defences.

Tidal Defences, Hullbridge

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when her Department expects to provide consent for the tidal defence works planned for Hullbridge, Essex; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 21 March 2002
	I understand that the Environment Agency is seeking to obtain planning permission and to purchase the land necessary to compensate for the loss of internationally important habitats which would result from the construction of tidal defences at Hullbridge. These issues need to be resolved before the agency can submit an application for grant aid to this Department. When an application is received it will be considered against the normal economic, technical and environmental criteria and priority score arrangements for funding flood and coastal works.

Soil Surveys

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will supply data from the National Soil Inventory, using the average figure of all arable sites measured, on the change in (a) soil depth, (b) pH level, (c) nutrient level and (d) heavy metals between the 1978 to 1981 survey and 1994 to 1996 soil survey.

Elliot Morley: The National Soil Inventory can supply no data on changes in soil depth. Data on the other variables requested are not available at "arable sites" level, but data on arable/ley grassland sites are given in the following table.
	
		Arable/ley grassland sites
		
			 Variable 1978–81 1994–96 Change 
		
		
			 (b) pH 6.76 7.12 +0.36 
			 
			 (c) nutrient level
			 (i) organic carbon (percentage) 3.27 2.79 -0.48 
			 (ii) available phosphorus (mg/l) 31.81 41.45 +9.64 
			 (iii) available potassium (mg/l) 199.19 236.01 +36.82 
			 (iv) available magnesium (mg/l) 141.78 143.80 (42)— 
			 
			 (d) heavy metals
			 total zinc (mg/kg) 88.64 68.30 -20.34 
			 total copper (mg/kg) 20.24 18.27 -1.97 
			 total nickel (mg/kg) 27.05 24.45 -2.60 
			 total cadmium (mg/kg) 0.80 0.32 -0.48 
			 total lead (mg/kg) 41.46 36.21 -5.25 
			 total cobalt (mg/kg) 11.58 10.94 -0.64 
			 total chromium (mg/kg) 43.82 35.08 -8.74 
			 total arsenic (mg/kg) 4.22 5.36 +1.14 
			 total mercury (mg/kg) 0.06 0.12 +0.06 
			 total selenium (mg/kg) 0.43 0.40 (42)— 
			 total molybdenum (mg/kg) 0.94 0.69 -0.25 
			 total vanadium (mg/kg) 47.77 44.05 (42)— 
		
	
	(42) The change is not regarded as significant in statistical terms.
	Note:
	"Available" means concentration in extractant.
	Source:
	SSLRC (2000)—Comparison of original and resampled national soil inventory data. DEFRA R&D Project SP0506, Final Report.

Flooding

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 8 March 2002, Official Report, column 642W, on flooding, what plans she has to review groundwater flooding matters.

Elliot Morley: We have no such plans. While groundwater flooding was recognised as a significant factor in the flooding of autumn 2000, its causes are varied and often complex.
	The current legal situation is that, as with land subsidence, responsibility for taking remedial action generally falls to the individual householder or landowner. Only where groundwater problems are directly related to a defined watercourse do flood defence operating authorities have permissive powers to act. In deciding whether to do so they would need to consider the technical, economic and environmental effects of such action.
	However, the Environment Agency routinely monitor major groundwater aquifers for water resource purposes. This information, and data on long-term accumulations of rainfall, may be used to provide general warnings for certain vulnerable areas at times of increased risk on a best endeavours basis. It is not technically feasible to provide specific warnings to particular properties though in most cases there are simple steps that individuals can take to monitor their own situation.

Creche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what creche facilities are provided by her Department; and at what cost.

Elliot Morley: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) provide 145 full-time subsidised nursery places for departmental and agency staff at six sites. The actual number of children using the nurseries is higher than this figure due to many of the places being allocated on a part-time basis. The cost of nursery places and the amount of subsidy varies for each location.
	School holiday playscheme places are also available to departmental and agency staff working at eight sites. The number of users varies at each site and for each school holiday period.
	The overall cost of this provision for the HQ offices (York and London) during the 2001–02 financial year is estimated to be £60,000, which works out at approximately £17.86 per head of staff at those sites. In actual terms, the benefit per parent is higher as not all staff require child care support. Child care facilities at other sites are funded from local budgets and up to date figures are not available at short notice.
	DEFRA keeps its child care provision arrangements under review.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people employed by her Department under the new deal for young people in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseekers' allowance or other benefits.

Elliot Morley: Information is not held centrally on the number of new dealers who have found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks or who have returned to jobseeker's allowance or other benefits.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people have been employed by her Department in each of the last three years under (a) the new deal for young people, (b) the new deal for the over 50s and (c) the new deal for lone parents; and at what cost, listed by category, to public funds.

Elliot Morley: The number of people who have been employed by the Department and its agencies under the new deal programmes for the last three financial years is as follows:
	
		(a) Young people (18 to 24-year-olds)
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1998–99 5 
			 1999–2000 6 
			 2000–01 31 
		
	
	The Department does not hold information on the number of new dealers employed on either the (b) over 50s or (c) lone parents programmes.
	The figures for young people include both subsidised and unsubsidised starts. New deal recruits take up existing vacancies so extra costs to public funds are limited to the subsidy, where appropriate, and any additional training and development which may be needed. The cost of the latter cannot be readily identified.

Pollution (Irish Sea)

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the impact of nutrients discharged from land-based sources into the Irish Sea.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The Urban Waste Water Treatment and Nitrates Directives require member states to undertake periodic reviews of estuaries and near-shore marine areas to establish whether they are adversely affected (or have the potential to become so) by nutrient inputs from rivers and direct discharges. The latest reviews were undertaken by the discharge regulators during 2001 and the results should be available later this year.
	Within the work programme of OSPAR, the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic, Contracting Parties including the UK are currently assessing the eutrophication status of the various parts of the OSPAR maritime area. An initial stage, to identify the more obvious non-problem areas, found that the wider parts of the Irish Sea fell into the "non-problem" category. The area of the Irish Sea to the east of a line from Anglesey to the Solway Firth is being subject to a more detailed evaluation as it is recognised that this area may be at greater risk of being adversely affected by nutrients from land based sources. The UK is due to present the findings of this more detailed evaluation at the end of 2002.

Pollution (Irish Sea)

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research the Government have recently conducted into pollution of the Irish Sea.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The UK Government have supported an extensive programme of research into pollution in the Irish Sea in recent years.
	The Department, working in conjunction with the Scottish and Northern Irish Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER), made a substantial contribution to the body of evidence from which the co-ordinated UK-Irish assessment of the Celtic Seas was produced in 2000. This Quality Status Report (QSR) for the Celtic Seas, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House of Commons, provides a list of references which includes items of research sponsored by the UK Government.
	Since 2000 we have continued to build our evidence base on pollution of the Irish Sea with a view to assessing the status of the North East Irish Sea in relation to nutrient inputs and identifying the key processes determining the potential impact and transport of pollutants. This is a part of our ongoing co-ordinated marine environment research programme which continues to contribute to regional co-operation on research and monitoring through OSPAR (the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic) and its Assessment and Monitoring Committee.
	In respect of pollution by radioactive substances, the results of a joint research project between the Environment Agency and SNIFFER, entitled Past, Current and Future Radiological Impacts of Radioactive Marine Discharges on Coastal Communities Surrounding the Irish Sea, was published in 1999. A copy of this report is available in the Library.

Home Energy Efficiency

John Horam: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether a householder who has received a grant under Warm Front or Warm Front Plus can receive further assistance under the scheme for measures in addition to those originally installed; and whether a householder who has received a Warm Front grant is eligible, on reaching the age of 60, for assistance under Warm Front Plus.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 21 March 2002
	Paragraph 7(3)(e) of the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (England) Regulations 2000, as amended, requires applications for assistance under the scheme to contain "a statement that neither the applicant, nor to his knowledge any other person, has received or applied for grant under these Regulations in respect of the dwelling which is the subject of the application". The effect of this paragraph is to limit to one the number of grants under the scheme for any household, whether the occupant is under or over 60 years of age.

Whaling

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which countries engage in whaling.

Elliot Morley: The following members of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) engage in whaling activities:
	Denmark (Greenland and the Faroe Islands)
	Japan
	Norway
	Russia
	St. Vincent and the Grenadines
	United States of America.
	We have no information on whaling carried out by non-IWC members.

Pig Farms

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will list (a) the occasions when and (b) the reasons why (i) Oldlands Pig Unit in Wiltshire and (ii) Shoddesden Pig Unit in Hampshire were (A) not accepted onto and (B) suspended from Farm Assurance schemes in the past five years;
	(2)  if Farm Assurance scheme inspectors have visited pig units at (a) Oldlands Farm, Wiltshire and (b) Shoddesden, Hampshire; and what assessments have been made;
	(3)  on what grounds pig units of (a) Oldlands Farm, Wiltshire and (b) Shoddesden, Hampshire were suspended from the Farm Assurance scheme in (i) July 2000, (ii) February 2001, (iii) June 2001 and (iv) other times in the last four years.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The main pig assurance scheme was originally established by the Government. However, it was taken over by the industry in September 1996 and has since been run as a private initiative by Assured British Pigs (APB). Membership of the scheme is voluntary.
	Following the privatisation of the scheme, the State Veterinary Service (SVS) continued to provide inspection services until September 1999 when its contract with ABP ended. Since then inspections have been carried out by a private independent inspection body and the Government have had no role in the operation of the scheme.
	Prior to the ending of the contract the Shoddesden pig unit was inspected by a State Veterinary Service veterinary officer in connection with an application for it to be registered under the ABP scheme. The veterinary officer advised the applicant of action that would need to be taken in order to meet the scheme's requirements. We understand from ABP that the Shoddesden pig unit was subsequently registered under the scheme in March 1999 after the work requested by the veterinary officer had been confirmed as complete.
	The SVS was not involved in subsequent APB inspections of the unit.
	We are not aware of any application for the Oldlands pig unit to be registered under the APB scheme.

Mink Farming

Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will announce a scheme of compensation to farmers following the ban on the farming of mink.

Elliot Morley: A scheme of compensation was set out in SI 2001/3853, the Fur Farming (Compensation Scheme) (England) Order 2001, which was made and laid before Parliament on 3 December 2001 and came into force on 1 January 2002. Following comments by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, this SI was revoked and replaced by SI 2002/221, the Fur Farming (Compensation Scheme)(England) Order 2002, which was made on 5 February 2002, laid before Parliament on 7 February 2002 and came into force on 1 March 2002. However, the scheme in the latter SI is identical to the previous one in all material respects and also contains a transitional provision for applications made under the 2001 order to be treated as if they had been made under the 2002 order.

Brucellosis

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's contingency plans for an outbreak of brucellosis.

Elliot Morley: The emphasis of the Department's approach to controlling outbreaks of brucellosis is the regular statutory testing of both dairy and beef herds to ensure that Great Britain maintains its brucellosis free status.
	All dairy herds are tested monthly using the bulk milk tank test. If there is a positive result, blood samples are taken from all cattle in the herd and tested. Blood samples are taken from all adult breeding cattle in 50 per cent. of the national beef herd every year. This far exceeds the requirements of EC Directive 64/432. Under the Brucellosis (England) Order 2000, and equivalent legislation in Scotland and Wales, there is a statutory requirement for farmers to report abortions and premature calvings to the Local Animal Health Office of DEFRA. Investigative tests are then carried out.
	To lessen the risk that brucellosis might be imported during the controlled restocking of farms following the foot and mouth disease epidemic, my Department has issued instructions to introduce even tighter surveillance and control for brucellosis under the cattle tracing system. All imported female cattle will be targeted for testing at strategic points. Reports are generated in the event of calving, absence of notified calving when a female reaches 30 months and when no calving has been registered for females over 30 months within 12 months of import. These reports are then followed up and testing carried out accordingly.
	If an animal tests positive, it will be slaughtered with compensation and the rest of the herd will be placed under movement restrictions while further confirmatory testing is carried out. A veterinary investigation into the cause of the positive blood test result will be initiated immediately and movements on to and off the affected premises will be traced. It usually takes up to three weeks to confirm whether or not the animal was infected. In the event that brucellosis is confirmed contact herds will be tested. If the veterinary investigation reveals that some contact animals are at risk, these will also be slaughtered. This may involve the slaughter of all the affected herd. This strategy worked when one case of imported brucellosis was confirmed in Great Britain in 1993.

Livestock Movements

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government plan to remove the restrictions for hauliers on the collection of livestock from more than one farm for transport to market.

Elliot Morley: Multiple pick-ups are permitted for livestock movements subject to conditions. They are limited to five farms per trip and may only take place at premises which have prior approval to operate as a pick-up site. Further details of the conditions that apply to multiple pick-ups and drop-offs are available at www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/movements/transport/ index.htm.

Noxious Smells

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice and guidance she has issued to local authorities concerning the exercise of their powers to control remissions into the atmosphere of noxious smells.

Michael Meacher: Local authorities have powers to control smells which are a statutory nuisance under Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. No guidance has been issued to authorities in relation to these powers.
	Local authorities also regulate smells as part of their responsibilities under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to control air pollution from a range of industrial processes (Local Air Pollution Control). The Government issue a series of statutory guidance notes for local authorities on what constitute the Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Cost for minimising air emissions from a range of industrial processes. Odour is addressed in these guidance notes where appropriate. The notes are all published and are listed on my Department's website http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/ lapc/default.htm. A programme to review all the guidance notes is under way, and draft revisions can be found either on the DEFRA website or on the Environment Agency's website (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/lapc/ ?version=1), depending on the stage of progress.
	An additional guidance note was issued to local authorities by my Department in January this year reminding them that their responsibilities under Part I of the 1990 Act included the control of air emissions which may not cause a local nuisance.

Foot and Mouth

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the sheep at Hawnby were tested for the foot and mouth (a) virus and (b) antibody before restocking; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 5 March 2002
	All animals used for controlled restocking must come from farms which have been inspected and found free from foot and mouth disease (FMD).
	Two of the three farms which restocked the Hawnby premises had on previous occasions tested antibody negative for foot and mouth disease in November 2001 and October 2001. Testing for virus did not take place.
	At the time of restocking in 2002, there was no requirement for pre-movement testing to be carried out as all counties had achieved FMD-free status.

Foot and Mouth

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where the Hawnby sheep originally came from; and what steps she is taking to test the original flock for foot and mouth.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 5 March 2002
	Three farms provided sheep to restock the Hawnby premises. They were in the Bosall, Helmsley and Hawnby areas of North Yorkshire. At the time the Hawnby sheep came under suspicion on 26 February, the source farms were immediately placed under Form D restrictions and a Veterinary Clinical Inspection was carried out on the stock.
	No signs of foot and mouth disease were found.
	Restrictions remained in place until after the restrictions on the Hawnby flock were lifted following negative results. There was no basis for further testing on the farms of sheep origin.

Foot and Mouth

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the value is of outstanding claims for foot and mouth disease compensation from Scotland.

Elliot Morley: All claims from Scottish farmers for compensation for compulsorily slaughtered livestock have been paid amounting to £161.5 million. 136 valuations, on which compensation has been paid totalling around £32 million, are the subject of disputes lodged by the farmer. Two disputed claims to the value of £360,599 have been settled.

Abattoirs

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the (a) shire districts, (b) metropolitan districts, (c) unitary authorities and (d) London boroughs which lie, wholly or in part, (i) more than 50 miles from and (ii) more than 90 minutes' journey time from a licensed abattoir or slaughterhouse.

Yvette Cooper: I have been asked to reply.
	The Food Standards Agency does not hold information on the siting of licensed abattoirs in the format requested. However, I have arranged for lists of licensed red and white meat abattoirs, arranged by county and local authority respectively, to be placed in the Library of the House.

TREASURY

VAT

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were sentenced to imprisonment in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02 to date following the completion of VAT criminal prosecutions; what was the sum total of custodial sentences imposed in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 6 March 2002
	The number of people sentenced to imprisonment in the year 1999–2000 following the completion of VAT criminal prosecution was 83 and custodial sentences totalling 213 years were imposed.
	The number of people sentenced to imprisonment in the year 2000–01 following the completion of VAT criminal prosecutions was 61 and custodial sentences totalling 116 years were imposed.
	The figures for the number of people sentenced and the custodial sentences imposed for the current year 2001–02 will not be available before the end of the financial year.

VAT

Oona King: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether small businesses which make appropriate arrangements with the VAT Office to spread their VAT payments are liable to a surcharge in addition to their original VAT bill; and whether firms are advised of this surcharge at the time of renegotiation.

Paul Boateng: A business which has incurred a surcharge because of a failure to meet VAT obligations, may include that surcharge in any subsequent arrangements made with Customs and Excise to clear their VAT arrears by instalments. Any business which enters into an agreement will remain subject to the default surcharge provisions if subsequent VAT returns or payments of tax due are received late. This is made clear in correspondence issued by customs when they confirm such payment arrangements.
	However, following changes announced in the Chancellor's autumn statement when small businesses start to have difficulties in meeting VAT obligations, they are first offered advice and support, rather than incurring automatic surcharges.

VAT

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to ensure that VAT on hot take-away food is charged in a uniform way across different types of retail outlets.

Paul Boateng: There have been no changes to the VAT treatment of hot take-away food. Customs and Excise plan to issue further advice to confirm that hot take-away food is VAT standard rated, regardless of the type of retail outlet that supplies it.

Benefits in Kind

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of individuals in his (a) Department, (b) related agencies and (c) related non- departmental public bodies whose annual remuneration including benefits in kind exceeded (i) £100,000 and (ii) £200,000 in each of the last four years.

Dawn Primarolo: (a) The number of individuals in the Chancellor's Departments whose annual remuneration exceeded £100,000 in each of the last four years is as follows:
	1 April 1998: 11
	1 April 1999: 12
	1 April 2000: 15
	1 April 2001: 21.
	(b) The number of individuals in Related Agencies whose annual remuneration exceeded £100,000 in each of the last four years is as follows:
	1 April 1998: 2
	1 April 1999: 3
	1 April 2000: 6
	1 April 2001: 7.
	There were no individuals in either Departments or Agencies in any of the four years whose remuneration exceeded £200,000.
	(c) I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him on 29 January 2002, Official Report, column 253W.

Treasury Website

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the items of material which have been removed from the Treasury website in each of the last four years.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 25 February 2002
	The Treasury's website www.hm-treasury.gov.uk currently contains more than 3,000 pages. Pages are frequently updated with certain sections of the site, such as the economic data and careers areas, being changed on a weekly basis.
	The website was relaunched in November 2001 to provide the Treasury with a more robust, better organised and searchable platform for its website. At that time, the opportunity was taken to remove a number of older documents, including files relating to the previous administration. Material removed at that time included expenditure reviews, press releases from 1994 to 1996 and older budget and spending review information. However, as a consequence of the relaunch, the site is significantly more robust and, with its search engine and simple navigational structure, documents are now easier to access and read.

Consultants

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost to his Department was of the use of external consultants in each of the last four years.

Ruth Kelly: The costs to HM Treasury for external consultants were as follows:
	
		
			 Year  
		
		
			 1996–97 1,032,250 
			 1997–98 1,159,530 
			 1998–99 1,788,706 
			 1999–2000 1,489,024 
			 2000–01 1,666,799 
			 2001–02 1,160,099

Special Advisers

Tim Collins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; and if he will list the total cost, including (i) travel, (ii) accommodation and (iii) subsistence allowance, for each occasion.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 27 February 2002
	Between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2001, special advisers in the Treasury travelled abroad on 31 occasions, at an average cost of £1,431 per trip. All travel by special advisers is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code, and the Civil Service Management Code.

Smaller Quoted Companies

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken by the Inland Revenue to define the smaller quoted companies for tax purposes.

Dawn Primarolo: There are no areas of tax legislation that refer to small or smaller quoted companies, so no definition is needed.

Small Landlords

Margaret Moran: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the net cost to the Treasury of bringing small landlords within the same tax regime as other small businesses.

Dawn Primarolo: All landlords, irrespective of size, and others with assets giving rise to rental income or other receipts from land and buildings (taxable under Schedule A) are taxed in the same way on that income. There is no separate definition of "small".
	If the hon. Member has in mind treating all assets giving rise to Schedule A income as qualifying for reliefs available to trading assets, the full-year cost is tentatively estimated to be £400 million.

Inheritance Tax

Andrew Love: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) buildings and (b) works of art are covered under the conditional exemption scheme for inheritance tax; how many visitors there have been to each in each of the last 10 years, including an estimate for the current year; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: There are currently 288 cases of conditionally exempt land and/or buildings. Available figures for 65 conditionally exempt properties where visitors are admitted by ticket show an average of about 24,000 visitors per property per year.
	86,000 chattels (including works of art) are currently conditionally exempt. Visitor numbers to conditionally exempt chattels are not available.

Inheritance Tax

Andrew Love: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much inheritance tax has been deferred under the conditional exemption scheme in each year since 1984.

Dawn Primarolo: The estimated cost to the Exchequer of conditional exemption from inheritance tax (and its predecessor, capital transfer tax) is as follows:
	
		
			  Amount of relief (£ million) 
		
		
			 1984–85 45 
			 1985–86 30 
			 1986–87 25 
			 1987–88 55 
			 1988–89 50 
			 1989–90 100 
			 1990–91 170 
			 1991–92 20 
			 1992–93 45 
			 1993–94 40 
			 1994–95 60 
			 1995–96 30 
			 1996–97 35 
			 1997–98 40 
			 1998–99 35 
			 1999–2000 10 
			 2000–01 20

Parental Leave Directive

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the (a) financial costs and (b) benefits to his Department of the parental leave directive.

Ruth Kelly: Treasury staff are eligible for unpaid parental leave under the parental leave directive. Central records are not kept on the amounts of unpaid parental leave taken. The Treasury also has a number of other family friendly policies in place, for example alternative working practices, paid special leave, career breaks, to help staff strike a balance between home life and work.

Age Discrimination

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's policy is towards age discrimination.

Ruth Kelly: The Treasury has taken steps to integrate age into its equal opportunity policies and the Department has a commitment that there should be no unfair discrimination on the basis of age. Action on diversity has and will continue to tackle any negative attitudes towards older staff particularly through the training and development of managers and through the monitoring of recruitment, selection and appraisal statistics.

Celebrations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements his Department has made to celebrate (a) St. Patrick's Day, (b) St. George's Day, (c) St. Andrew's Day and (d) Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and how his Department celebrated St. David's Day.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 11 March 2002
	There are certain days of the year known as "named days" when the Union flag must be flown from Government buildings. The days include St. David's Day (in Wales), St. George's Day (in England), St. Andrew's Day (in Scotland) but not St. Patrick's Day.
	The Union flag will be flown on the Treasury building on Coronation Day (2 June) as this is a named day. Whether the Treasury will further celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee will depend on the outcome of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport's current consideration of the Union flag flying protocol procedure for the Jubilee.
	I would also refer the hon. Member to the answer the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport gave to the hon. Member for Suffolk South (Mr. Yeo) on 11 February 2002 Official Report, columns 58–59W. In the Treasury, all staff will be given an additional public holiday on 4 June 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee.

Minimum Wage (Paisley, North)

Irene Adams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employers within Paisley, North have been found to be breaching the minimum wage legislation.

Dawn Primarolo: This information is not available. For Scotland, over 1,600 investigations have been completed since the introduction of the national minimum wage in April 1999 with non-compliance being discovered in 27 per cent. of cases. During this period wages arrears of £550,000 have been identified.

Minimum Wage (Paisley, North)

Irene Adams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employers within Paisley North, having advertised with the Employment Service, have subsequently been found to have breached the minimum wage legislation.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available.
	The Employment Service (ES) will not accept for display any vacancy that does not meet the requirements of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) Act 1998. ES has in place a robust and ongoing monitoring system to ensure it meets its commitment to display only NMW compliant vacancies. However, with over two million vacancies handled every year there is always a risk that a "rogue vacancy" will slip through the net. Where ES is made aware of this, services to the employer may be suspended while the complaint is investigated. All complainants in these circumstances are advised to contact the Inland Revenue, as the NMW enforcement agency, to allow further investigation.

Staff (Local Elected Representation)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many members of staff at his Department are locally elected democratic representatives; and if he has a strategy for his Department to encourage members of staff to become locally elected democratic representatives.

Ruth Kelly: Information on whether staff are locally elected democratic representatives is not held centrally. Staff who are representatives of bodies covered by Section 50 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 are allowed 10 days paid special leave to undertake their duties.

Inland Revenue Customer Call Centres

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets are in place at Inland Revenue contact centres in respect of the time taken to answer to customer telephone inquiries; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Inland Revenue contact centres work to the following targets for call handling:
	No more than 5 per cent. of attempted calls to reach an engaged tone.
	No more than 5 per cent. of attempted calls to be abandoned.
	Of the calls not engaged or abandoned, 90 per cent. to be answered within 20 seconds.
	An attempted call is counted each time a customer dials the contact centre number.

Inland Revenue Customer Call Centres

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the policy of the Inland Revenue is with respect to providing customers with direct line numbers for inquiries to customer call centres; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Ten million PAYE taxpayers have new Inland Revenue contact centres as their first point of telephone contact. By July 2002 this number will have grown to 15 million (50 per cent. of PAYE taxpayers).
	For these taxpayers, where there is ongoing correspondence with an individual tax officer or inspector, a direct dial number will be provided so that the customer can make contact with the individual concerned. Unsolicited calls are handled by the contact centre, which provides a local rate number to customers.

Inland Revenue Customer Call Centres

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what mechanisms exist to establish whether sufficient telephone lines are in place at Inland Revenue customer call centres to handle the volume of customer telephone inquiries.

Dawn Primarolo: Staffing levels of the first five of Inland Revenue taxpayer contact centres were based on analysis of an experimental IR contact centre opened in 1998 in East Kilbride. Statistical analysis of call volumes there was used to inform the rollout programme.
	The number of advisers is intended to allow the centres to meet targets on all but 15 days each year using a mixture of full and part time staff. Resource teams in each office match staff resources to the predicted call volumes.
	On the 15 days where excess volumes are anticipated, calls are overflowed to customer service units in local offices.

Inland Revenue Customer Call Centres

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets exist at Inland Revenue contact centres for the time taken returning customer calls; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Where a customer has raised a query that cannot be handled by the Inland Revenue contact centre they have contacted, the call will be passed to an officer in the service office to resolve the inquiry. Where that is not possible, or where further research is required, the target is to return to the customer within one working day. This will be extended if
	another time would be more convenient to the customer, or
	research will take longer than one working day.
	In these situations a different time scale would be agreed with the customer.

Business Regulations

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from groups representing business and commerce regarding the burden of regulation and taxation on businesses.

Dawn Primarolo: As is normal in the run up to the Budget, the Government have received a number of representations from business organisations.

Business Regulations

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is a goal of his policies to improve United Kingdom productivity that the burden of regulation on business should fall.

Paul Boateng: The Government are committed to ensuring that regulations are fair and effective, so that they protect the vulnerable but do not stifle enterprise or productivity.
	The Government have significantly strengthened the systems that control the regulatory burden. In February the Cabinet Office announced the "Government's Action Plan for Regulatory Reform" which included 260 reforms, with over 60 expected to make use of the Regulatory Reform Act.

National Insurance

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the number of people who would pay more in national insurance contributions if the ceiling on Class 1 contributions were aligned with the higher rate tax threshold.

Dawn Primarolo: Around 3¾ million people would pay more in national insurance contributions on an average weekly basis during 2002–03 if the Class 1 ceiling were aligned with the income tax higher rate threshold. This estimate was provided by the Government Actuary's Department.

National Insurance

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the revenue implications of removing the upper earnings limit on employee national insurance contributions.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) on 1 March 2002, Official Report, column 1573W.

National Insurance

David Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been (a) the maximum and (b) the average underpayment to pensioners adversely affected by NIRS2 since its introduction.

Nick Brown: I have been asked to reply.
	The maximum underpayment of retirement pension caused by the NIRS2 problems is not known. The average underpayment to the small percentage of pension claims that have been affected by NIRS2 problems since June 1998 is £339. The arrears have been paid in nearly all the affected cases along with compensation, where appropriate. The NIRS2 computer is now stable and the difficulties caused to pensioners and other benefit claimants by the delayed implementation of some of the functions are now almost resolved.

Annuities

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends to reform the requirement to purchase an annuity at the age of 75 years.

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer of 4 March 2002, Official Report, column 9W.

Tax Law Rewrite Project

Barbara Follett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further developments there have been as a result of the Tax Law Rewrite Project.

Dawn Primarolo: The Tax Law Rewrite Project continues to make good progress. At the end of this month it will be publishing its thirteenth Exposure Draft, containing draft clauses on foreign income and property income.
	The project is also currently working on an Income Tax Bill rewriting the provisions on employment income, pension income and taxable social security benefits. In preparation for that Bill, this year's Finance Bill will included some small amendments to the tax legislation on employment income. Copies of this draft Finance Bill legislation will shortly be published on the project's website.
	Copies of the Exposure Draft and the draft Finance Bill legislation will be placed in the Library as soon as they are available.

Preston Case

Ian Stewart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the tax treatment of settlements between employers and employees to implement the House of Lords decision in the Preston case.

Ruth Kelly: The Preston judgment means that many employers must give all their part-time employees and certain of their ex-employees, retrospective access to membership of their occupational pension schemes from April 1976 or in some cases later. The employers concerned have a responsibility to settle with their employees and ex-employees how this should be achieved in each case. There are outstanding cases before Employment Tribunals which are designed to determine how employers and employees should meet their liabilities.
	Where employees are entitled to membership rights in an occupational scheme in respect of past periods of employment, the normal rules about tax relief on contributions continue to apply. That is:
	all employers' contributions to occupational pension schemes, including any for past service, qualify for corporation tax relief;
	employees' contributions up to 15 per cent. of their salary from the employer concerned in the year the contributions are paid qualify for income tax, irrespective of whether any part of the contribution is in respect of previous years' service;
	employees may make contributions to their schemes above 15 per cent. of salary in any tax year but any such contributions do not benefit from tax relief.
	In some cases, employers and employees may prefer to agree on lump sum settlements rather than additional membership rights in occupational schemes. In these cases, the lump sums are not taxable as income under schedule E but will be liable to capital gains tax subject to the normal annual exemption.

Government Debt and Asset Management

Jackie Lawrence: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future organisational arrangements for government debt and asset management.

Ruth Kelly: Following a detailed review of the current arrangements and future requirements for government debt and asset management, the National Debt Office (NDO) and the Public Works Loans Board (PWLB) will be integrated with the UK Debt Management Office (DMO) with effect from 1 July. Both the NDO and the PWLB are part of the National Investment and Loans Office (NILO) and the relevant staff will be relocated to the DMO's offices. This reorganisation, while maintaining provision of existing services, is designed to deliver improved management of the central Government balance sheet, and to offer a more robust, flexible and innovative service to public sector clients.
	At the same time the remaining part of NILO, the Office of HM Paymaster General (OPG), will be merged with the Treasury, while also maintaining the provision of its existing services. NILO will thereafter cease to exist.

Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many disabled people have benefited from the fast track to disabled person's tax credit since this provision was introduced.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 19 March 2002
	The number of recipients of the disabled person's tax credit (DPTC) entering via the fast-track is shown in table 2.3 of each DPTC Quarterly Enquiry, copies of which are in the Library.

Tax Credits

Peter Duncan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the new working families tax credit unit in Livingston to be operational.

Dawn Primarolo: The Livingston Contact Centre, which will handle telephone inquiries about tax credits, is expected to be operational from 1 August 2002.

Tax Credits

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of people living on below 60 per cent. of median income who have an entitlement to the working families tax credit and are not in receipt of any payment;
	(2)  how many families living on below 60 per cent. of median income are in receipt of the working families tax credit; and what percentage of the total working families tax credit case load this represents.

Dawn Primarolo: No such estimates for working families tax credit will be available until the Family Resources Survey data for 2000–01 have been analysed.

Tax Credits

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason (a) a widow receiving a widowed mother's allowance is not eligible for working families tax credit and (b) a mother receiving maintenance payments from a living ex-partner is eligible for the credit.

Dawn Primarolo: A widow in receipt of widowed mother's allowance and a mother in receipt of maintenance payments may both be eligible for the working families tax credit.

Tax Credits

Jackie Lawrence: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the compliance statistics for working families tax credit were in the nine months to 31 December 2001; and what the comparable statistics were in the previous year.

Dawn Primarolo: Compliance statistics for the nine months to 31 December 2001 show an increased effectiveness in the Inland Revenue's compliance programme. Of the 16,016 inquiries completed in this period, 5,427 cases (34 per cent.) were found to contain discrepancies and these produced a compliance yield of £10.4 million.
	I very much regret having to report that the Inland Revenue have advised me that some previous statistics relating to tax credit compliance have proved to be incorrect or incomplete. The correct equivalent figures for the year ended 31 March 2001 are that, of the 31,211 inquiries completed in that year, 5,573 cases (18 per cent.) were found to contain discrepancies producing a compliance yield of £7.7 million.
	These errors in the Inland Revenue's tax credit statistics have also resulted in incorrect information being given in responses to some written parliamentary questions, in letters to hon. Members and during debates. I am writing to the Members concerned correcting errors and I will place a copy of the letters in the Libraries of both Houses.

Tax Credits

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families living on below 60 per cent. of median income are in receipt of the children's tax credit; and what percentage of the total children's tax credit caseload this represents.

Dawn Primarolo: This information is not available.

Tax Credits

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to introduce incentives for tax credit towards training personnel employed in small and medium sized enterprises.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government keeps all taxes under review and any changes will be announced in the Budget report.
	The Government is taking forward its Budget 2001 commitment to consider policies, possibly including a tax credit, to encourage low skilled workers to train. The PBR announced pilot schemes to start this year which will test a range of policy options to support and encourage training.

Creche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what creche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost.

Ruth Kelly: The Treasury offers staff access to subsidised places on a holiday playscheme and pays £15.60 towards the cost of each place, which represents 60 per cent. of the total cost. Around eight staff take up places for their children. Staff can also reclaim additional child care costs incurred, including the tax liability, if they have to work longer or later than normal.

Parliamentary Questions

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason officials in his Department draw up background briefing notes concerning the reason that an hon. Member is asking a parliamentary question; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: Ministers would be advised of Members' reasons for tabling particular questions to facilitate the provision of appropriate replies.

Sport

Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many responses to the Treasury Consultation Document, "Promoting Sport in the Community", (a) agreed and (b) disagreed with the need to proceed with a separate Inland Revenue-administered tax package;
	(2)  how many responses to the Treasury Consultation Document, "Promoting Sport in the Community", (a) agreed and (b) disagreed with the assessment that the charitable route offered clubs better prospects than the Inland Revenue administered tax package.

Paul Boateng: A range of responses have been received. Decisions on the best way forward will be made with regard to these responses and in the context of subsequent meetings with sports' representative bodies and the Charity Commission. A summary of responses will be made publicly available at the time of any announcement.

Sport

Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many responses to the Treasury Consultation Document, "Promoting Sport in the Community", called for the Inland Revenue-administered tax package to include mandatory rate relief.

Paul Boateng: Ministers are considering responses to the questions for consultation contained in the "Promoting Sport in the Community" document. A summary of responses will be made publicly available at the time of any announcement. The separate Inland Revenue administered tax package that the Government consulted on did not include business rate relief. However, CASCs gaining charitable status—for which they are able to apply immediately—are eligible for 80 per cent. mandatory business rate relief.

Sport

Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many responses have been received to the Treasury Consultation Document, "Promoting Sport in the Community".

Paul Boateng: The "Promoting Sport in the Community" consultation document attracted over 2,400 responses, for which we are grateful. Ministers are considering responses and decisions will be made as part of the normal Budget process. A summary of responses will be made public at the time of any announcement.

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the target time will be in 2002–03 for (a) Ministers to reply to letters from hon. Members and (b) officials in his Department to reply to letters received directly from members of the public.

Paul Boateng: The target time for replying to all correspondence will be 15 working days from receipt.

EU Economic and Finance Council

Roger Casale: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome was of the ECOFIN Council held in Barcelona on 14 March; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Gordon Brown: I attended ECOFIN on 14 March.
	Following previous discussions at the March ECOFIN and at the General Affairs Council, ECOFIN discussed further the draft EU position for the UN Financing for Development Conference in Monterrey. This was subsequently endorsed by heads of government at the Barcelona European Council. This position commits EU member states to increasing overseas development assistance as a proportion of Gross National Product to an EU average of 0.39 per cent. by 2006. This is a significant step forward for global social justice, that will provide around $7 billion a year in additional aid.
	ECOFIN also considered proposals for strengthening EU development assistance to the Mediterranean region. It was agreed that a European Investment Bank Facility should be set up, and that this would be evaluated after a year and a decision then taken on whether it should be developed into a subsidiary involving other shareholders. This agreement was endorsed by the Barcelona European Council.
	The implications of the Enron affair for corporate governance were discussed. It was agreed that ECOFIN would look again at this issue in light of work being undertaken by the Finance Stability Forum.
	ECOFIN discussed whether Government-backed airline insurance schemes for covering third party war and terrorism risks should be extended beyond the end of March. It was agreed that further analysis should be provided before the discussion at the Transport Council on 26 March.
	No votes were taken at the meeting.

Criminal Damage

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost has been of criminal damage to his Department's buildings in each of the last four years.

Ruth Kelly: None.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people employed by his Department under the New Deal for Young People in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseekers' allowance or other benefits.

Ruth Kelly: We do not have this information.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been employed by his Department in each of the last three years under (a) the New Deal for Young People, (b) the New Deal for the Over 50s and (c) the New Deal for Lone Parents; and at what cost, listed by category, to public funds.

Ruth Kelly: The latest complete years for which we have figures for people specially recruited under the New Deal arrangements are as follows:
	
		New Deal
		
			  1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01  
			  Young People Other Young People Other Young People Other 
		
		
			 Inland Revenue(43) 0 0 46 10 30 10 
			 Office for National Statistics 0 0 4 0 1 1 
			 Royal Mint 3 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	(43) Including Valuation Office Agency
	HM Treasury specially recruited three people under the New Deal in 1999, four in 2000 and four in 2001, but does not differentiate between individual New Deal schemes. (None of these recruits was subsidised).
	Customs and Excise have employed a total of 129 people under the New Deal for Young People since its inception, but by year figures are not available. They have employed no-one under the New Deal for Over 50s or Lone Parents.
	No further classification of New Deal recruits is available.These recruits took up existing vacancies so extra costs are limited to the subsidy, where appropriate, and any additional training and development which may have been needed.

Running Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham of 8 January 2002, Official Report, column 808W, if he will provide a full breakdown of the main items comprising the increase in the running cost between April 1997 and April 2001 of (a) his private office and (b) his Department; and if he will break down the increase in the cost of staff in his private office over the same period.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Bus Fleets

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of (a) how many insurance companies offer fleet insurance for bus fleets in the UK and (b) what level of competition this represents; and whether buses will be able to operate without fleet insurance in the event of the remaining insurance for bus fleets being withdrawn.

Ruth Kelly: Further to my answer on 25 February 2002, Official Report, columns 830–31W, we have a long standing agreement with the insurance industry that cover will always be provided for anyone legally entitled to drive.

Customs and Excise

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a disaggregated analysis of how Her Majesty's Customs and Excise plans to spend its supplementary estimate for the purposes listed on page 54 of HC 636.

Paul Boateng: holding answer 20 March 2002
	The purpose of the HM Customs and Excise spring supplementary is set out on page 1 of Cm 5380. The additional net cash requirement is required to pay for the provision of serviced accommodation under an estates PFI contract. These charges replace non-cash charges for the opportunity cost of utilising civil estate freehold assets. There is no increase to departmental expenditure limits as a result of the supplementary. The estates costs will cover all activities and purposes listed in HC636.

Customs and Excise

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons the annual report of HM Customs and Excise for 2000–01 has not yet been published.

Paul Boateng: Publication has been delayed because finalisation of the Trust Statement for Customs and Excise, which must be included in the report, took longer than expected. The Trust Statement now has an audit certificate, and the annual report for Customs and Excise has been laid before Parliament today.

Plant and Machinery (Investment)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what incentives are in place for small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises to invest in plant and machinery.

Dawn Primarolo: The tax system gives incentives for investment through capital allowances. Small and medium-sized enterprises qualify for 40 per cent. first year capital allowances for all investment in plant and machinery, in place of the usual 25 per cent. The rate is increased to 100 per cent. for businesses of all sizes if the plant or machinery is energy efficient, or is used for research and development purposes.

Secondments

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many members of staff were employed by the Treasury on secondment from non-governmental organisations in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001.

Ruth Kelly: The numbers of people seconded to the Treasury from non-governmental organisations were as follows:
	1999—6
	2000—11
	2001—16.
	Details of current secondees from all sectors outside central Government can be found on the Treasury website.

Secondments

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many members of staff were employed by the Treasury on secondment from the private sector in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001.

Ruth Kelly: The numbers of Treasury staff on secondment from the private sector in 1999 was two, in 2000 was four and in 2001 was eight.
	Details of current secondees from all sectors outside central Government can be found on the Treasury website.

Secondments

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many BP employees are on secondment to his Department; for what purposes; on what terms; and how many BP employees have been on secondment to his Department since January 2000.

Ruth Kelly: There are no BP employees currently on secondment to HM Treasury. There have been no BP employees on secondment to HM Treasury since January 2000.
	Details of current secondees from outside central Government can be found on the Treasury's website.

Construction Industry (False Self-Employment)

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the extent of false self-employment in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The tax and national insurance rules, which distinguish the employed from the self-employed, are intended to apply to all workers. The Inland Revenue policies compliance with those rules in all industries, including the construction industry, to ensure that people are paying their tax and national insurance contributions on the correct basis.

Insurance Guidance

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the insurance guidance that went to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury at the end of November 1998.

Ruth Kelly: Insurance guidance on reserving for guaranteed annuities was issued by HM Treasury in December 1998 and is included as an appendix to the FSA's report into the regulation of Equitable Life. This was published on 16 October 2001 and a copy placed in the Library.

Equitable Life

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Treasury Ministers have been shown the documentation covering the period in 1998 when the Treasury was directly responsible for regulating Equitable Life.

Ruth Kelly: Treasury Ministers are aware of the sequence of events in 1998 and have had access to all relevant documentation.

Equitable Life

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the Treasury's written evidence to the Penrose Inquiry.

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence the Government have been requested to provide the Penrose Inquiry into Equitable Life other than the Baird Report.

Ruth Kelly: Lord Penrose has been given access to all available information. The Treasury provided evidence to the Treasury Select Committee and arranged for publication of the FSA's report into the regulation of Equitable Life, copies of both of which have already been placed in the Library.

Equitable Life

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury has responded to the formal notice from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration of his intention to inquire into the regulation of Equitable Life.

Ruth Kelly: Yes. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope) on 3 December 2001, Official Report, column 66W.

Equitable Life

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings have taken place since September 2001 between Lord Penrose and Treasury ministers.

Ruth Kelly: None.

Pensioners (Communication)

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the (a) number and (b) percentage of pensioner households that do not have (i) a telephone, (ii) e-mail and (iii) internet facilities.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Mr. Webb to Mr. Len Cook, dated 25 March 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the number and percentage of pensioner households that do not have (I) a telephone, (ii) e-mail and (iii) internet facilities. (45687).
	The General Household Survey classifies pensioner households as those which contain a man aged 65 or over, or a woman aged 60 or over. Other non-pension age persons may also be in the household.
	Unpublished data from the General Household Survey show that in Great Britain in 2000 (the most recent year available):
	161,000 pensioner households did not have a telephone
	6,688,000 pensioner households did not have internet facilities
	These figures have been weighted and grossed to population values from the survey sample.
	2% of pensioner households did not have a telephone
	89% of pensioner households did not have internet facilities
	These percentages are based on a weighted figure of 7,528,000 pensioner households in Great Britain (2649 in the survey sample).
	The survey does not have information on e-mail.

Aggregates Levy

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when the regulations dealing with the Aggregates Levy will be laid before Parliament; and when they will come into force;
	(2)  if he will delay the introduction of the Aggregates Levy to allow the publication of the regulations necessary to implement it in draft form; and if he will allow three months consultation on them before the levy commences;
	(3)  what factors he will take into account in deciding the date for the implementation of the Aggregates Levy.

Paul Boateng: The levy will be implemented on 1 April 2002.
	The draft regulations have been the subject of extensive consultation with the aggregates industry since November 2001.
	The regulations were laid on 21 March and enter into force on 1 April 2002.

Aggregates Levy

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make draft regulations for the implementation of the Aggregates Levy before 26 March.

Paul Boateng: The Aggregates Levy (Registration and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2001 were made on 19 December 2001 and the Aggregates Levy (General) Regulations 2002 were made on 21 March 2002.

Whisky

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations have been received from the Scottish Executive regarding the proposals for a strip tax on whisky.

Paul Boateng: I have received a number of representations about the consultation by Customs and Excise on the costs, benefits and practicalities of a tax stamps system for spirits, including representations from the Scottish Executive.

Oil Prices

David Stewart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the impact on the United Kingdom economy and (a) domestic and (b) business consumers of oil prices of (i) $30 a barrel, (ii) $35 a barrel and (iii) $38 a barrel for over 12 months' duration; and if he will make a statement on the implications for the economy of higher prices for oil produced on the UK Continental Shelf.

Ruth Kelly: As detailed in the Pre-Budget Report 2000 (Cm 4917, Box A3, page 153) higher oil prices would, all else equal, tend to reduce GDP growth and increase inflation. However, the UK differs from most other major industrialised economies in that it is a small net exporter of oil, so potential GDP losses may be partly offset by increased North Sea production.

Oil Prices

David Stewart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what risk assessment he has made of the effect on the (a) price of oil, (b) availability of oil and (c) UK economy of UK military action in Iraq.

Ruth Kelly: As the Prime Minister has made clear, most recently on 11 March, no decision has been made on whether to take military action against Iraq. Iraq currently contributes supplies of oil equivalent to about three per cent. of world production. Spare oil production capacity worldwide is currently several times this amount. Moreover, there are also International Energy Agency and international agreements on holding stocks of oil, and procedures to deal with any oil supply disruptions. Oil markets are, however, volatile and to some extent driven by expectations, as well as responding to the near-term actual balance of supply and demand. It is therefore difficult to predict the impact on oil prices from any supply disruptions, and the question of military action against Iraq is only one of a wide range of influences. The Government will publish an updated forecast for the UK economy in the Budget on April 17, taking account of all relevant economic factors.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if the service delivery agreement to reduce sickness absence by 0.5 days by April 2001 was met;
	(2)  what recent assessment he has made of whether the PSA target for the increase in net public investment and improvement of the public capital stock in 2002 will be met;
	(3)  when he estimates the PSA target for the publication of the whole of Government accounts for 2001–02 will be met;
	(4)  if the PSA target for the achievement of investors in people accreditation was achieved on time;
	(5)  if the PSA target for the completion of the information strategy review was met on time;
	(6)  what recent assessment he has made of whether the PSA target for achieving a declining trend in excessive hours worked will be met on time;
	(7)  what recent assessment he has made of progress with the public service agreement target for securing an increase in the number of successful high growth business start-ups;
	(8)  if he estimates that the PSA target for 2002 for increasing the proportion of business undertaken electronically will be achieved on time;
	(9)  if he estimates the PSA target for moving to electronic publishing of material hitherto published on paper will be met on time;
	(10)  if the PSA target for the reduction of unfilled vacancies was achieved on time;
	(11)  what recent assessment he has made of whether the PSA target for reducing the number of households facing marginal deduction rates over 70 per cent. will be achieved on time;
	(12)  if he estimates that the PSA targets for correspondence and parliamentary response times will be met on time.

Ruth Kelly: Information about progress on PSA targets will be published in the Treasury's 2002 departmental report.

European Single Currency

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research is being carried out in his Department concerning the benefits of the single currency to the United Kingdom.

Ruth Kelly: As the Chancellor said in his October 1997 statement, the five economic tests will define whether a clear and unambiguous case can be made for UK membership of the single currency. The assessment of the five tests has not yet started, but the necessary preliminary analysis—technical work necessary to allow us to undertake the assessment within two years as promised—is under way.

European Single Currency

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 2002, Official Report, column 224W, to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws), for what reason he is unable to specify the Treasury management units which are contributing to the evaluation of the five economic tests for membership of the euro; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Member to the comments I made during the adjournment debate on the preliminary and technical work held on the floor of the House on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 268.

Pre-Budget Report

Ian Stewart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement on measures for business in relation to the pre-Budget report in November 2001.

Gordon Brown: As announced in the pre-Budget report in November 2001 and following consultation with business:
	the new corporation tax regime for substantial shareholdings will apply for disposals on or after 1 April 2002;
	the new corporation tax regime for intangible assets will also apply with effect from 1 April 2002.
	In addition the Government are also proceeding with the new tax credit to encourage research and development by large companies which will apply from 1 April 2002. The credit will follow a simple volume based approach, final details of which will be announced in the Budget.
	Technical details of these measures will be published tomorrow and will be available to Members from the Vote Office.

PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his counterparts in other European Union member states about the use of public-private partnerships in the delivery of public services.

Andrew Smith: The Government discusses PPPs in a variety of fora. In this context, Treasury Ministers share information on existing UK policy on PPPs with a range of European colleagues.

Current Receipts

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cash-terms change in current receipts has been since 1997.

Andrew Smith: Estimates of Government receipts are published quarterly by the ONS and HM Treasury in "Public sector finances".

Taxation

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the tax burden was as a proportion of national income in (a) 1996–97 and (b) 2001–02.

Andrew Smith: Estimates of net taxes and social security contributions as a percentage of GDP are contained in table B22 and table B10 of the November 2001 pre-Budget report.

Wanless Report

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met Derek Wanless to discuss the contents of the final Wanless report.

Andrew Smith: The Chancellor has held no meetings with Derek Wanless to discuss the contents of his final report.

Health Expenditure

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health to discuss value for money in health expenditure.

Andrew Smith: The Chancellor meets with ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health to discuss a variety of issues on a regular basis.

Infrastructure Investment

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the percentage of gross domestic product and expenditure per capita represented by public infrastructure investment in (a) the UK and (b) other EU member states.

Andrew Smith: Table B23 of the pre-Budget report sets out public investment as a proportion of GDP in the UK and the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses, published in April 2001, include information about public expenditure on a per capita basis. Chart 6.2 in the Treasury publication "Realising Europe's potential", published in February 2002, compares general Government net investment across all member states.

HEALTH

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in investigating his Department's performance in answering parliamentary questions.

Alan Milburn: As indicated in my reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W, a full investigation has now been carried out into the circumstances which led to delays in dealing with parliamentary questions in the Department of Health, including apparent falsification in recording the handling of parliamentary questions in the Department's parliamentary section. The aim of the investigation was to establish the facts and to ensure that the necessary remedial action is taken.
	An audit of outstanding questions was carried out immediately after the apparent falsification of the electronic database used in the parliamentary section to track the handling of parliamentary questions in the Department was discovered. This identified 411 outstanding questions due for reply before 14 February, with 214 of those questions having been recorded as answered when no reply had been given. This information formed the basis for my reply on 5 March and for replies to subsequent questions to hon. Members. Further more detailed investigation of the information derived from this audit reduced the number of outstanding questions due for reply before 14 February to 354, with 202 questions recorded as having been answered when no reply had been given. The balance was accounted for by questions which further investigation showed had in fact been answered where this had not been clear previously or which were due for reply after 14 February, questions transferred to other Departments for answer, duplicate entries on the database and incorrect entries on the database. Of these 354 questions, 348 received replies by 12 March, the remaining 6 on 13 March.
	In addition this more detailed investigation identified a further 11 outstanding questions due for reply before 14 February. Six of these were recorded as having been completed and given a false Hansard reference on the database; two previously unidentified questions were found which had been recorded as having received replies when they had not; and three outstanding questions were discovered which had not been recorded on the database at all. All these questions have now been answered.
	Of the total of 365 questions finally identified as due for reply before 14 February which had not received replies when I reported the situation on 5 March, 33 received an answer within one month of the due date for reply and 95 were answered within two months. The remaining 237 had been awaiting replies for more than two months; and 77 of these were asked before the summer recess in 2001.
	The overall number of cases where the database had been falsified to show questions as having been answered when they had not was 210, broken down by party as follows:
	Conservative 88
	Labour 69
	Liberal Democrats 42
	Scottish Nationalist 9
	Plaid Cymru 2.
	The investigation has also established that according to the Library of the House there are a number of outstanding questions from previous Sessions. Regrettably, because the Department had not been following the normal practice of sending all questions answered by letter to the Library of the House, we are unable to confirm how many of these questions were not in fact answered. All of the questions answered by letter during the last summer recess have now been placed in the Library; and this practice will be followed assiduously in future. There are, however, some indications that falsification of the database may have taken place during previous Sessions; and this will be pursued in the context of the disciplinary process which is taking place.
	The main conclusions of the investigation were as follows:
	(i) There is clear evidence of the systematic falsification of records on the database which tracks the handling of the parliamentary questions received in the Department of Health. Questions were recorded as having been answered when no replies had been passed to the Member of Parliament or the Official Report; incorrect information appears to have been entered on the whereabouts of parliamentary questions within the system and in a number of cases a false Hansard reference was entered to indicate that the process was complete and had been externally validated. There have been three cases where questions that appeared on the Order Paper were not entered on to the database, thus preventing their being processed at all.
	(ii) Examination of the questions in the backlog revealed no consistent pattern either by party or subject matter.
	(iii) All the indications are that previously unidentified delays in handling cases in the parliamentary section were the overwhelming contributory factor, leading to the backlog of outstanding questions that developed, and that these delays were not identified through routine monitoring systems because of deliberate falsification of the database.
	(iv) The number of parliamentary questions listed for answer by the Department of Health has increased significantly during this Session. During the 2000–01 Session (December 2000—May 2001) 1,754 questions were asked in 83 sitting days. For the current Session to date (June 2001—20 March 2002) 5,748 questions have been asked in 120 sitting days. This increase has tested the resources of the parliamentary section, particularly in the timely and diligent follow up of ministerial queries on draft answers. Pressure of work cannot, however, explain the failure to answer all the parliamentary questions in an appropriate and timely manner.
	(v) Although some concerns were raised both within the Department and by MPs about delays in responding to questions and these concerns were followed up by Ministers and managers, suspicion was successfully deflected to others within the organisation. This was possible because the management information provided by the database had been corrupted by the false entries and because the increased volume of parliamentary questions made it increasingly difficult to track the physical progress of parliamentary questions folders in a small and cramped office. The falsification of the database also prevented the size of the backlog emerging in routine monitoring of progress on answering questions. Currently there is no external system against which the Department can validate its performance. From April the Leader of the House will make available to all Departments regular lists of the parliamentary questions the Library's records show are outstanding, so that such a check can be made.
	(vi) An official in the parliamentary section has been suspended and is awaiting disciplinary action, in accordance with departmental disciplinary procedures. The detailed evidence found by the investigation will be used in this process. There is no evidence to suggest that any other member of staff was improperly involved.
	Line managers had already put in hand action to manage the increased volume of parliamentary questions, to speed up their processing, and to share the tasks more widely within the unit. The database was in the process of being modified to provide more accessible and timely management information on the handling of parliamentary questions to enable improved tracking, early intervention and a clear audit trail. The staffing complement of the unit had been increased from seven to eight.
	A summary of the process for dealing with parliamentary questions in the Department of Health prior to this investigation is being placed in the Library of the House. The following further remedial action was identified as necessary by the investigation and is being put in hand immediately:
	(i) New arrangements will be established within the parliamentary section to ensure that the process for tracking parliamentary questions cannot be manipulated by any one individual. This will include a clear separation of tasks and building in a greater degree of external checking and validation, including regular checks against information held by the Library of the House.
	(ii) The electronic database will be modified and shared across the Department and Ministers' Private Offices to allow for a more transparent system of tracking the handling of parliamentary questions.
	(iii) Questions are already handled electronically between the parliamentary section and officials. This will be extended to include Ministers' Private Office to simplify and speed the process.
	(iv) Ministers' Private Secretaries will be responsible for dealing with outstanding queries on draft parliamentary questions before they are returned to the parliamentary section.
	(v) The parliamentary section will be moved to more suitable accommodation as a matter of urgency.
	(vi) In addition to the extra capacity already introduced, there will be an immediate review of the staffing complement within the parliamentary section to reflect the increase in work load and to ensure proper controls mechanisms are in place, using other Departments' parliamentary sections with similar volumes of work as comparators.
	I expect that these changes will prevent any recurrence of the lapse in my Department's standards of accountability to the House, which I deeply regret and for which I apologise.

Inter-country Adoptions

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with Romanian authorities about inter-country adoption.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 January 2002
	I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
	Department of Health officials have had regular contact with the National Authority for the Protection of Children and Adoption (formally the Romanian Committee for Adoption) concerning individual inter-country adoption applications.
	An informal Co-operation Agreement between the Department of Health and the Romanian Committee for Adoptions was signed on 17 February 1998. A copy of the Co-operation Agreement has been placed in the Library for information. The Agreement was drawn up in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, following the introduction of new adoption legislation in Romania in 1997. The Co-operation Agreement embodies the principles of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption 1993.
	A one-year moratorium on international adoptions from Romania was announced by the Romanian National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption, formerly the Romanian Committee for Adoptions, on 13 July, following a recommendation from the European Parliament. The United Kingdom Government have expressed their support for the one-year moratorium, which will allow the Romanian authorities time to redraft legislation on adoption and get the necessary framework in place to support it.

Overseas Treatment

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he collated on the relative pay scales of (a) general practitioners and (b) publicly funded hospital consultants in the UK and France.

John Hutton: I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
	The Department does not collate information on the pay scales of general practitioners and publicly funded hospital consultants in France.
	For 2000–01 the Intended Average Net Income (IANI) for a full time GP for delivering General Medical Services (GMS) is £60,655.
	For 2000–01 the salary scale for NHS consultants ranges from £50,810 to £66,120. The discretionary points scheme extends consultants' salary scale range by eight steps of roughly £2,645 each, up to a maximum of £87,280. Distinction awards may be paid in addition to consultants' basic salaries but subsume the value of any discretionary points previously held.

West Midlands South Strategic Health Authority

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Chairman of the West Midlands South Strategic health authority was consulted about the appointment of the Chief Executive of the authority; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on Tuesday 22 January at column 766W.

Hospital Waiting Times

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress with, and the cost to public funds of, the policy of enabling patients whose operations are cancelled on the day they are due to take place either to choose another date within 28 days at the hospital or to have it carried out at another hospital.

John Hutton: I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March (at column 192W).
	The patients' guarantee will come into force in April 2002. When a patient's operation is cancelled by the hospital on the day of surgery for non-clinical reasons, the hospital will have to offer another binding date within a maximum of the next 28 days or fund the patient's treatment at the time and the hospital of the patient's choice. Patients may choose NHS or private treatment and the NHS will fund the operation. Trusts will meet the cost from their existing budgets.
	By reducing overall cancelled operations and ensuring that where patients are cancelled, they are offered another binding date within a maximum of the next 28 days, NHS Trusts will not incur any additional costs.

Hospital Waiting Times

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the waiting time for joint replacements at (a) the Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust, (b) the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Trust and (c) the Poole Hospital NHS Trust.

Hazel Blears: Action has been taken to improve waiting times for Orthopaedics waits in Southampton. This included additional consultants, two new operating theatres and 10 additional beds for orthopaedics. An area wide steering group has also been established.
	The information collected centrally on joint replacement operations at Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust and the Royal Bournemouth & Christchurch Hospitals NHS Trust is as follows:
	
		Waiting times for waiting list and booked admissions by main operation and selected NHS trusts, 2000–01. Total joint replacement operations
		
			 Waiting times Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Trust 
		
		
			 0 to 3 months 34 411 
			 3 to 6 months 33 542 
			 6 months to 1 year 65 281 
			 1 to 2 years 387 11 
			 Over 2 years 23 1 
			 Not known 2 129 
			  
			 Total 544 1375 
			 Mean days 458 132 
			 Median days 516 135 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health
	Notes
	1. Waiting time statistics from HES are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and waiting times for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment at a given point in time and how long they have been on the waiting list.
	2. HES calculates the waiting time as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-referrals or periods of medical/social suspension.
	3. The main operation is the first of four operation fields in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure performed during the episode.
	4. Figures in this table have not yet been adjusted for shortfalls in data.
	There are no waiting list or booked admissions recorded for the Poole Hospital NHS Trust for these operations.

Waiting Lists

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 25 January, 2002. Official Report, column 1121W, on waiting lists, when the review by the regional offices of the 13 trusts will be made (a) public and (b) available to Ministers.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on 7 March 2002, Official Report, column 544W.

Autism

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much is being spent by the Government into research on autism;
	(2)  what research the Department is conducting into autism which has an impact on policies on (a) respite care from the social services and (b) specialist speech therapy.

Jacqui Smith: The main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The MRC spend on autism research for 2000–01 was approximately £1.2 million. The MRC funds a large amount of work on the causes and treatment of autism, and to increase the knowledge base of issues surrounding autism. As part of this ongoing work the MRC has recently published a review of the current state of knowledge about the causes and epidemiology of autism. The MRC has also recently been given an extra £2.5 million by the Department to do further research into autism.
	The Department funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in health and social care. The Department also provides national health service support funding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that takes place in the NHS. Management of much of the research supported by NHS Research and Development Funding is devolved and expenditure at project level is not held centrally by the Department.
	There are a number of research projects on autism for which the Department provides support costs. Details of these individual projects are available on the National Research Register (NRR), which can be accessed via the internet: http://www.doh.gov.uk/research/nrr.htm. The NRR shows that the Department supports a number of research projects on speech therapy and respite care although not specifically relating to autism.

NHS Professionals

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what measures he is taking to ensure that nurses working through NHS Professionals are paid on time and in full;
	(2)  whether nurses working through NHS Professionals will be paid weekly.

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the length of time is within which he expects NHS Professionals to pay its temporary staff;
	(2)  if the payroll costs in respect of NHS Professionals staff are charged out to its clients;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to ensure that the costs of (a) time sheet processing and (b) payroll functions of NHS Professionals are identified and reported.

John Hutton: holding answers 1 March 2002
	I apologise to the hon. Members for the delay in responding to these questions. I refer them to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March, 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
	HSC 2001/002 and guidance "NHS Professionals—A co-ordinated, NHS-led approach to temporary staffing" sets out NHS Professionals national standards for good employment practice, including provision for weekly payment upon submission of completed and authorised time sheets.
	Local, regional and national project boards are in place to monitor the implementation of NHS Professionals to meet the required standards.

NHS Professionals

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how an NHS employee will become entitled to extra (a) maternity and (b) sickness pay in return for working additional hours for NHS Professionals; and what is the nature of the extra entitlement;
	(2)  whether a permanent NHS employee will be entitled to be paid at their substantive grade and substantive scale point, when working additional hours for NHS Professionals;
	(3)  how an NHS employee will accrue additional pension entitlement in return for working additional hours for NHS Professionals; and what is the nature of the enhancement;
	(4)  whether NHS Professionals nurses will be entitled to full Whitley council terms and conditions as for permanent staff; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  how an NHS employee will become entitled to additional holiday pay in return for additional hours worked for NHS Professionals; and what the nature is of the addition;
	(6)  whether a permanent NHS employee will be entitled to overtime, if additional hours are worked for NHS Professionals over and above a normal full-time working week.

John Hutton: NHS Professionals "A co-ordinated, NHS-led approach to temporary staffing" published in November 2001 highlights guidance on pay and conditions for NHS Professionals staff including maternity, sickness, pension and annual leave entitlement.
	For maternity and sickness leave statutory provisions apply. Staff have the opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme and accrue benefits under the terms of that scheme. The number of days annual leave entitlement is as per the Working Time Regulations and the payments are pro rata to hours worked within a reference period, with staff taking the leave within their NHS Professionals shifts. Salary and grade levels are agreed at the recruitment stage with the understanding that staff have the opportunity to complete shifts below their substantive grade but not over. There is no provision for overtime payments.

Non-consultant Doctors

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to ensure non- consultant career grade doctors can be appointed to NHS specialist posts; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: We have proposed amendments to the European Specialist Medical Qualifications Order 1995. The amendments will increase the number of doctors in non-consultant career grades eligible to apply for consultant posts in the national health service subject, where appropriate, to the successful completion of a period of further training. It is not possible to extend this to all doctors in non-consultant career grades as they will not all have the required qualifications and training.

Nurse Recruitment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation was made by his Department of the Sharing Ideas nurse recruitment project.

John Hutton: The "Sharing Ideas" resource pack was published in March 1998, supported by the "Working Lives" published in March 1999. "Sharing Ideas", "Working Together", "Making a Difference" and "Working Lives" were the building blocks of the current successful returner, recruitment and retention and improving working lives programmes aimed at delivering the NHS Plan.

Speech Therapists

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to increase the number of speech and language therapists for children.

Jacqui Smith: Speech and language therapists working in the national health service have a broad range of responsibilities and children are one of the many important groups they help. Since 1997, the number of qualified speech and language therapists has increased by 17 per cent. (from 4,870 to 5,680 in 2001). We are also committed in the NHS plan to increasing the number of training places for therapists (including speech and language therapists) and other professional staff by 4,450 by 2004. The number of speech and language therapy training commissions increased by 101 between 1999 and 2000 and 2000 and 2001, 11 in 2001–02 and further increases are planned for 2002–03.

Health Authority Appointments

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) men and (b) women from an ethnic minority background have been appointed to a health authority covering the Greater London Area since May 1997.

John Hutton: The appointments made of people from an ethnic minority background to health authorities serving the London region since 1 May 1977 and at 5 March 2002 are given in the table.
	
		
			  Appointment made since 1 May 1997 Appointments as at 5 March 2002  
			 Ethnic origin Female Male Female Male 
		
		
			 Asian Bangladeshi 1 0 0 0 
			 Asian Indian 5 6 4 3 
			 Black African 2 3 1 3 
			 Black Caribbean 7 6 5 0 
			 Black other 1 0 1 0 
			 Other 6 2 4 1 
			 White 49 68 31 29 
			 Sub-total 71 85 46 36 
			 Total 156 82

General Practitioners

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give a profile of practising GPs in England and Wales, based on age and sex.

John Hutton: holding answer 28 February 2002
	The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		General medical practitioners in England by age and sex, 2001
		
			   Total Under 30 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–49 50–54 55–59 60–64 65 and over 
		
		
			 All practitioners 31,835 1,325 3,578 5,590 6,254 5,221 4,680 3,244 1,396 546 
			 All UPEs 27,843 270 2,466 4,844 5,777 5,012 4,564 3,154 1,325 431 
			 Male—all practitioners 19,743 445 1,535 2,885 3,765 3,510 3,463 2,545 1,139 456 
			 Male- UPEs 18,574 114 1,222 2,740 3,673 3,451 3,419 2,494 1,093 368 
			 Female—all practitioners 12,092 880 2,043 2,706 2,489 1,711 1,217 699 257 90 
			 Female-UPEs 9,269 156 1,244 2,104 2,104 1,561 1,145 660 232 63 
		
	
	Notes:
	All practitioners include Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors, PMS Other and GP Retainers.
	UPEs (Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents) include GMS Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.
	Information for Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly.

General Practitioners

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs in England and Wales work part- time; and how many worked part-time in 1997.

John Hutton: holding answer 28 February 2002
	Part-time working among general practitioners (GPs) is growing as the numbers and proportion of women GPs increase. Many of these prefer more flexible working arrangements than are offered by traditional General Medical Services principal posts. One of the strengths of the Personal Medical Services arrangements which were first piloted in 1998 is that it readily offers such flexibility. In 1997 4,823 GPs worked part time in England. By 2001 (latest available data) this had increased to 6,252. The equivalent data for Wales are a matter for the Welsh Assembly.

Agency Nurses

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether he intends to exempt existing agency nurses from the requirement to obtain a GP health report;
	(2)  what his policy is on commercial nurses' agencies (a) providing both nursing and domiciliary services to customers, (b) maintaining combined records in respect of both services and (c) both services being managed in one business; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Government have recently consulted on the "Nurses Agency National Minimum Standards and Regulations" under the Care Standards Act 2000. The consultation document is available on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/ncsc.
	We will be considering any revisions to the standards and regulations in the light of responses to the consultation.

Consultant Vacancies

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultant vacancies there were by specialty in (a) 1997 and (b) 2001.

John Hutton: The NHS vacancy survey has been conducted in March each year since 1999 and information is not available for 1997. Information for 2001 is shown in the table.
	
		Three month vacancy rates(44),(45) for consultants(46). Three month vacancy numbers and staff in post employed within trusts, by specified specialty in England
		
			   3 month vacancy  
			  rates numbers (wte) Staff in post (wte) 
		
		
			 Total consultants 3.0 670 21,630 
			 
			 Specific specialties
			 Accident and emergency 7.9 40 440 
			 Anaesthetics (including intensive care) 1.7 60 3,170 
			 General surgery 1.7 20 1,260 
			 Obstetrics and gynaecology 1.5 20 1,050 
			 Ophthalmology 0.8 10 610 
			 Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery 5.6 10 210 
			 Otolaryngology 2.9 10 420 
			 Paediatric surgery 5.7 10 100 
			 Plastic surgery 2.9 10 170 
			 Trauma and orthopaedic surgery 2.2 30 1,150 
			 Urology 2.7 10 370 
			 Cardiology 2.6 10 480 
			 Cardiothoracic surgery 1.6 0 180 
			 Clinical oncology 3.8 10 280 
			 Clinical radiology 4.6 70 1,460 
			 Haematology 2.1 10 430 
			 Histopathology 6.0 50 780 
			 Medical oncology 3.8 0 100 
			 Palliative medicine 7.4 10 90 
			 Forensic psychiatry 5.2 10 150 
			 General psychiatry 7.8 130 1,490 
			 Learning Disabilities 13.3 30 170 
			 Geriatric medicine 3.0 20 730 
			 Old Age Psychiatry 9.3 30 310 
			 Diabetes medicine 2.7 10 360 
		
	
	(44) Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2001 which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalents).
	(45) Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post from the September 2000 medical and dental workforce census (whole time equivalent)
	(46) Excludes staff working within HA
	Notes:
	1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest ten
	2. Percentages rounded to one decimal place
	3. * = figures where staff in post and number of vacancies are less than 10
	4. England totals include staff from special health authorities
	5. Totals may not equal sum of component parts due to rounding.
	6. Staff in post figures as at 30 September 2000
	Source:
	Department of Health Vacancies Survey March 2001
	Department of Health 2000 medical and dental workforce census

Women GPs

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs in England and Wales are women.

John Hutton: holding answer 28 February 2002
	At 30 September 2001 there were 12,092 women general practitioners (GPs) in England. The number of women GPs in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly.

St. Bartholomew's

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the possible re-opening of the accident and emergency department at St Bartholomew's hospital; and what response he has given.

John Hutton: holding answer 25 February 2002
	Since 1997 there have been approximately 250 pieces of correspondence concerning the accident and emergency department at St Bartholomew's hospital and ten parliamentary questions.
	My right hon. Friend, the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham), was presented with an 8, 000 signature petition by the Islington Gazette in March 2001. I met with the hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster on 23 October 2001.
	The Tomlinson and the Turnberg reports confirmed that there was insufficient demand to justify supporting two full service A and E departments at both the St. Bartholomew's and the Royal London sites. There are currently no plans to return A and E services to St. Bartholomew's Hospital. St. Bartholomew's does however, run a minor injuries unit.

Podiatric Care

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent changes in the level of podiatric care there have been in the Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority area.

Hazel Blears: I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
	Increasing demand for podiatry care has placed intense pressure on the local chiropody service. As a result service provision was reviewed in order to ensure that care was provided safely and within available resources. Clearer admissions criteria have been introduced, designed to address the needs of those patients with high and medium clinical need across the current caseload of approximately 35,000 patients.

NHS (East Lancashire)

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of re-configuring the structure of the NHS in East Lancashire; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
	A number of simultaneous reconfigurations are taking place, both across and beyond East Lancashire. The cost of these reconfigurations will be met from within NHS allocations and is intended to result in a higher share of resources reaching frontline patient care.

Transplant Centres

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether reducing the number of transplant centres in the United Kingdom is expected to lead to a reduction in the number of retrieval teams available;
	(2)  what financial savings would be made by reducing the number of heart and lung transplant centres to (a) four and (b) five;
	(3)  what policies are being put in place to increase the level of transplants and organ donation, per head of population;
	(4)  if the study relating to the number of transplant units undertaken by Finnamore management consultants for the national specialist commissioning advisory group will be made available for public study.

John Hutton: holding answer 19 July 2001
	I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.
	Our long term goal for the cardiothoracic service is to increase the number of patients who receive successful heart and lung transplants, to ensure that today's high quality service is sustained in the future and to improve the working lives of the professionals who provide this crucial service.
	To meet this goal, we issued a discussion document on 21 September 2001. It announces that all six cardiothoracic transplant units will continue to provide a service to NHS patients. To do so, they will need to meet the clear and explicit requirements set out in the new monitoring framework proposed in the discussion document. These requirements include staffing levels and qualifications, arrangements for retrieval of organs, the number of transplants carried out or the number of patients seen in follow-up clinics and survival and rejection rates. All six units will be inspected against these requirements.
	The new service standards and effective monitoring will help ensure continued improvement to the quality of cardiothoracic transplant services, and provide patients with a national service of the highest possible quality. A copy of the discussion document, which invites comments on the standards and specification for the service, is in the Library.

Hospital Stays (Children)

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children stayed in hospital for four weeks or more in (a) Blackpool Victoria Hospital and (b) hospitals nationwide in the last 12 months.

Yvette Cooper: The table below shows a count of episodes of care where the length of stay was longer than four weeks.
	
		Finished provider spells for 0–18 year olds where length of stay was over 4 weeks—Blackpool Victoria NHS Trust and all other -- Trusts in England, 2000–01
		
			   Age 
			   Total (0–18) 
		
		
			 Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust 55 
			 Other NHS trusts 15,292 
			  
			 England 15,347 
		
	
	Notes:
	A finished provider spell is defined as a period of in-patient care within one health care provider that commences with the patients' admission and ends on the date of discharge. It may comprise one or more FCEs (finished consultant episodes).
	Figures in this table have not yet been adjusted for shortfalls in data.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

Genito-Urinary Consultants

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he will take to increase genito-urinary consultant numbers in line with Royal College of Physicians, Consultant Physicians Working for Patients, recommendations.

John Hutton: The NHS Plan sets a target of 7,500 additional consultants by 2004 (England), over the 1999 baseline, needed to deliver the service targets set out in the Plan. There are currently around 275 consultants in genito-urinary medicine in England. We anticipate that by 2004 there will be an increase of around 35 trained specialists in genito-urinary medicine, and a further 25 by 2009. We have also agreed an increase in specialist registrar numbers of up to 16 by 2004.
	We continually review future requirements for trained specialists as part of the NHS's new multi-disciplinary workforce planning processes. These will look at the requirements for doctors alongside other staff focusing on the potential for new ways of working and developing new roles. As part of this process we discuss with the Royal College of Physicians their view of workforce needs in genito-urinary medicine.
	Projections of need will change as modernisation of the workforce progresses. Supply projections will also change as numbers in training are varied in response to identified need.

Blood Donations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many 17 year-olds have given blood in each of the past five years.

Yvette Cooper: In April 1998 donor selection criteria were altered to enable 17-year-olds to donate. The table shows the number of donors making their first donation aged 17 by financial year since this change was made.
	
		
			 Financial Year 17-year-old donor count 
		
		
			 1998–99 13,777 
			 1999–2000 19,133 
			 2000–01 19,718 
			 2001–02(47) 16,109 
		
	
	(47) Data for 2001–02 taken period ending 3 March 2002. Forecast total as at end of 2001–02: 17,420

NHS Equality Awards

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the winners of the NHS equality awards in each year since 1998.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	1998 Award Winners
	Rotherham Alcohol Advisory service
	North Staffordshire health authority
	Lewisham and Guys mental health NHS trust
	Newham community healthcare services NHS trust
	West End health resource centre, Newcastle
	University hospital Birmingham NHS trust
	Bay community NHS trust, Barrow in Furness
	City hospitals Sunderland NHS trust
	North West Lancashire health authority
	Warrington community healthcare NHS trust
	Barnet healthcare NHS trust
	Manchester health promotion service
	East Cheshire NHS trust
	Shropshire Disability Consortium
	Asian health development project, Ashton
	Southampton university hospitals NHS trust
	North Manchester healthcare NHS trust 1999–2000 Award Winners
	Northern Birmingham mental health trust
	Southern Birmingham community health NHS trust
	Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority
	Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority
	Tameside and Glossop community and priority services NHS trust
	North West Lancashire health promotion unit
	Leeds teaching hospitals NHS trust
	Bradford community health NHS trust
	Partners Advocacy Services, Blackberry Hill hospital, Bristol
	South London and Maudsley NHS trust
	Berwick family centre
	Northern Birmingham community NHS trust
	Southampton and south-west Hampshire health authority.
	The national health service Equality Awards ran for two years with the focus on greater equality for all service users. Since the launch of the NHS Plan, the NHS Equality Awards have been combined with other national award schemes—the Nye Bevan Awards and Social Care Awards—to form the Health and Social Care Awards. This single set of awards recognises and rewards the excellence of staff working in vital services across both health and social care departments.

Abattoirs/Slaughterhouses

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the abattoirs and slaughterhouses which are licensed by the Food Standards Agency, stating in each case their maximum weekly throughput.

Yvette Cooper: The Food Standards Agency is responsible for the licensing of abattoirs in the United Kingdom. I have arranged for lists of all licensed red meat and white meat abattoirs in the UK to be placed in the Library of the House.
	Licensed abattoirs are classified as either full or low throughput. Low throughput red meat abattoirs are limited to slaughtering no more than 1,000 livestock units per year at a rate not exceeding 20 livestock units per week. Low throughput white meat abattoirs are limited to slaughtering no more than 150,000 birds or 300,000 rabbits per year.
	I am unable to provide the hon. Member with details of the throughput of individual abattoirs as this information is commercially confidential.

Hearing Aids

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision will be made to Hull and East Yorkshire NHS trust for the replacement of analogue hearing aids with digital ones.

Jacqui Smith: The Hull and East Yorkshire hospitals national health service trust has submitted a bid to the Department for second wave funding for the provision of digital hearing aids. The closing date for the submission of bids was 8 March 2002 and the bids are currently being evaluated.

Care Homes

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications the National Care Standards Commission has received from care providers wishing to register as a care home, under the Care Standards Act 2000, which are not existing residential care homes or existing nursing care homes; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Under the Care Standards Act 2000, the National Care Standards Commission takes over its responsibility for the regulation of social care and independent health care services on 1 April. Care providers who are not existing providers, in other words either they are not registered (the home is not operating) or exempt from registration under current legislation, may not apply to the Commission before the 1 April. On that basis the Commission has not received any applications for registration from such potential providers. The Commission is receiving applications under transitional arrangements from existing providers and managers of care services who must be registered from the 1 April.

Care Homes

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications the National Care Standards Commission has received from (a) existing nursing homes, (b) existing residential homes and (c) bed and breakfast accommodation under pilot schemes wishing to register as a care home under the Care Standards Act 2000.

Jacqui Smith: The National Care Standards Commission is now receiving applications for registration from providers and managers of care homes previously exempt from the requirement to register under current legislation. This is part of a planned transitional process but the full number of applications will not be known until 31 March 2002, which is the cut of date for applications under the transition. The Commission has to date received no applications from bed and breakfast accommodation under pilot schemes wishing to register under the Care Standards Act. Such provision, which will be regulated under the Act if it provides accommodation with personal care, cannot make applications to the Commission until 1 April 2002.

Residential Homes

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacant places there are in residential homes in the Barrow and Furness parliamentary constituency.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not available.

Leukaemia

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many over 60-year-olds suffering from chronic myeloid leukaemia have received bone marrow transplants in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The information is detailed in the table. Bone marrow transplants are usually more suitable for younger patients. A range of other treatments is available for older patients with the disease.
	
		Finished consultant episodes for patients aged over 60 where the main diagnosis was myeloid leukaemia and a bone marrow graft was performed. NHS Hospitals, England 1998–99 to 2000–01
		
			   Number of episodes 
		
		
			 1998–99 3 
			 1999–2000 8 
			 2000–01 9 
		
	
	Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of RSV requiring hospital admission there have been in the last three years for which figures are available, broken down by age.

Yvette Cooper: Figures for all admissions to NHS hospitals in England for respiratory diseases with a subsidiary classification of respiratory syncytial virus, are shown in the table.
	
		
			  1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Age
			 0–4 523 300 182 
			 5–19 5 2 4 
			 20–64 6 4 6 
			 65 and over 6 4 3 
			  
			 Total 540 310 195 
		
	
	Notes:
	These figures do not represent the number of patients as a person may be admitted more than once during the year.
	Figures in this table have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. they are ungrossed)
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

Health Authority Debts

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the bad debts and moneys written off by each health authority in each year since 1997.

John Hutton: Losses due to bad debts and claims abandoned for each English health authority since 1997 are shown in the table.
	
		Losses for health authorities -- £000
		
			 Health authority area 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Avon 1 0 0 0 
			 Barking and Havering 0 0 46 12 
			 Barnet 1 0 0 0 
			 Barnsley 0 0 0 0 
			 Bedfordshire 0 0 0 0 
			 Berkshire 6 0 10 0 
			 Bexley and Greenwich 17 9 1 16 
			 Birmingham 0 0 0 0 
			 Bradford 2 1 1 2 
			 Brent and Harrow 0 0 0 0 
			 Bromley 0 0 0 0 
			 Buckinghamshire 1 0 1 0 
			 Bury and Rochdale 0 0 0 0 
			 Calderdale and Kirklees 0 2 7 4 
			 Cambridge and Huntingdon 0 0 n/a n/a 
			 Cambridgeshire n/a n/a 0 6 
			 Camden and Islington 0 0 0 0 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 3 
			 County Durham and Darlington 0 0 0 0 
			 Coventry 0 3 0 32 
			 Croydon 0 0 0 0 
			 Doncaster 0 0 0 0 
			 Dorset 0 0 0 0 
			 Dudley 0 2 3 0 
			 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow 0 0 0 0 
			 East and North Hertfordshire 0 0 0 0 
			 East Kent 0 0 1 0 
			 East Lancashire 0 0 0 0 
			 East London and the City 0 1 3 0 
			 East Norfolk 0 0 n/a n/a 
			 East Riding and Hull 2 0 0 0 
			 East Surrey 0 9 0 0 
			 East Sussex, Brighton and Hove 2 2 2 0 
			 Enfield and Haringey 15 2 1 16 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside 9 3 0 0 
			 Gloucestershire 0 0 0 0 
			 Herefordshire 0 0 0 0 
			 Hillingdon 26 0 0 0 
			 Isle of Wight 0 0 0 0 
			 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster 0 0 95 41 
			 Kingston and Richmond 0 0 0 0 
			 Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham 20 59 0 0 
			 Leeds 0 0 4 0 
			 Leicestershire(48) 1 0 525 0 
			 Lincolnshire 3 8 0 0 
			 Liverpool 0 6 0 0 
			 Manchester 1 1 0 0 
			 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth 0 0 0 2 
			 Morecambe Bay 0 1 0 1 
			 Newcastle and North Tyneside 112 0 1 0 
			 Norfolk n/a n/a 0 0 
			 North and East Devon 0 0 0 0 
			 North and Mid Hampshire 40 27 24 0 
			 North Cheshire 0 0 0 0 
			 North Cumbria 0 1 0 0 
			 North Derbyshire 0 0 0 12 
			 North Essex 6 1 0 0 
			 North Nottinghamshire 0 0 0 0 
			 North Staffordshire 4 0 2 1 
			 North West Anglia 0 0 n/a n/a 
			 North West Lancashire 0 0 0 0 
			 North Yorkshire 0 2 0 0 
			 Northamptonshire 1 0 2 0 
			 Northumberland 1 0 0 0 
			 Nottingham 18 5 0 0 
			 Oxfordshire 1 0 0 0 
			 Portsmouth and South East Hampshire 0 0 0 0 
			 Redbridge and Waltham Forest 1 0 0 0 
			 Rotherham 5 0 2 1 
			 Salford and Trafford 0 0 0 0 
			 Sandwell 0 0 0 2 
			 Sefton 0 0 0 0 
			 Sheffield 281 63 0 2 
			 Shropshire 0 0 23 0 
			 Solihull 131 0 0 0 
			 Somerset 0 1 0 2 
			 South and West Devon 0 0 0 0 
			 South Cheshire 0 0 0 0 
			 South Essex 0 0 0 0 
			 South Humber 0 0 0 1 
			 South Lancashire 0 0 45 37 
			 South Staffordshire 0 2 0 4 
			 Southampton and South West Hampshire 0 1 1 1 
			 Southern Derbyshire 1 0 7 0 
			 St. Helens and Knowsley 2 0 0 0 
			 Stockport 0 0 0 0 
			 Suffolk 13 0 0 0 
			 Sunderland 0 9 0 7 
			 Tees 0 0 0 0 
			 Wakefield 2 0 0 0 
			 Walsall 2 0 0 5 
			 Warwickshire 0 0 0 0 
			 West Hertfordshire 0 0 0 0 
			 West Kent 0 0 0 3 
			 West Pennine 0 0 5 3 
			 West Surrey 1 1 1 0 
			 West Sussex 0 0 0 10 
			 Wigan and Bolton 0 4 2 0 
			 Wiltshire 1 3 2 11 
			 Wirral 0 0 2 1 
			 Wolverhampton 1 0 0 0 
			 Worcestershire 0 0 2 2 
		
	
	(48) Although the loss shown for Leicestershire health authority was recorded in 2000–01, it relates to events which occurred between 1992 and 1994 and involved overpayments to a company which went into receivership.
	Note:
	Data for 2000–01 is the last period available.
	Source:
	Health authority audited accounts 1997–98 and 1998–99.
	Health authority audited summarisation forms 1999–2000 and 2000–01.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the risk of abuse of elderly people with mental health problems in different care environments.

Jacqui Smith: Older people with mental health problems are as potentially susceptible to abuse as any other group of vulnerable adults. The Department takes the protection of vulnerable adults extremely seriously and is determined to stamp out abuse wherever it occurs. We are actively seeking to tackle the problem through a variety of initiatives. These include the launch of guidance titled 'No Secrets' and the planned implementation of the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been allocated to the treatment of (a) psychosis and (b) other mental health problems in adults in financial year 2001–02.

Jacqui Smith: The majority of funding for the treatment of psychosis and other mental health problems is allocated as part of health authority allocations and separate figures on allocations for psychosis or other mental health problems are not available.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) amount and (b) proportion of mental health expenditure has been on child and adolescent services in financial year 2001–02; and if he will make a statement on his assessment of the adequacy of the (i) amount and (ii) proportion of expenditure devoted to child and adolescent services.

Jacqui Smith: This information requested is not readily available. However our estimate for likely mental health expenditure in 2001–02 and the proportion spent on child and adolescent services is shown in the table, with the personal social services (PSS) expenditure particularly difficult to estimate.
	We recognise that much still needs to be done to improve child and adolescent mental health. The work currently ongoing on the child and adolescent mental health module of the Children's National Service Framework will do much to inform our future expenditure.
	
		Estimated mental health expenditure 2001–02
		
			   HCHS(49)  PSS(50)  Total  
			  £ million Per cent. £ million Per cent. £ million Per cent. 
		
		
			 CAMHS 289 8 269 20 558 11 
			 Adult MH 3,171 87 678 51 3,849 77 
			 Elderly 194 5 376 28 570 12 
			 Total 3,654 100 1,323 100 4,977 100 
		
	
	(49) Hospital and community health services (HCHS) costs exclude the costs of primary care and drugs.
	(50) Personal social services (PSS) costs include children's social services (CSS) costs where appropriate.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on mental health in each health authority as a percentage of total expenditure in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Figures showing how much was spent on mental health in each health authority as a percentage of total expenditure in each year since 1997–98 are shown in the table.
	The figures in the answer are not comparable to those provided previously on a national basis, which cannot be analysed by health authority. The total expenditure used in this answer includes all the expenditure accounted for by the health authority whereas previous answers have provided spend on mental health as a proportion of total Health and Community Health Service expenditure. This excluded expenditure on primary care and authority administration.
	
		Expenditure on mental illness by health authorities and primary care trusts as a percentage of total expenditure in each health authority area
		
			  Health authority area 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			  England 9.24 8.99 9.10 9.63 
			 QD8 Avon 8.86 7.99 8.62 7.99 
			 QAP Barking and Havering 9.93 10.30 9.20 10.55 
			 QAQ Barnet 8.65 9.99 10.89 8.26 
			 QCG Barnsley 8.14 8.22 7.12 7.02 
			 QA6 Bedfordshire 8.16 7.73 7.87 7.66 
			 QA7 Berkshire 7.94 8.53 8.61 9.32 
			 QAA Bexley and Greenwich 5.76 10.14 10.73 11.36 
			 QD9 Birmingham 9.11 8.37 9.51 10.59 
			 QDD Bradford 8.55 8.19 7.69 8.41 
			 QAR Brent and Harrow 12.11 11.96 10.25 9.22 
			 QAC Bromley 9.99 8.30 7.76 8.92 
			 QA8 Buckinghamshire 8.36 8.14 4.25 9.52 
			 QCT Bury and Rochdale 6.24 6.28 6.66 7.34 
			 QDT Calderdale and Kirklees 8.19 7.62 11.08 12.23 
			 QA9 Cambridge and Huntingdon 10.37 9.86 n/a n/a 
			 QER Cambridgeshire n/a n/a 8.41 9.57 
			 QAT Camden and Islington 16.20 15.01 15.21 14.49 
			 QDV Cornwall and Isles Of Scilly 8.48 8.87 7.11 8.65 
			 QDE County Durham 9.30 8.46 8.37 9.30 
			 QEA Coventry 9.34 8.19 7.98 9.39 
			 QAD Croydon 9.28 10.20 9.52 9.55 
			 QCK Doncaster 7.65 6.54 7.58 8.94 
			 QDW Dorset 7.53 7.14 8.00 7.67 
			 QEC Dudley 8.50 8.15 7.79 8.18 
			 QAV Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow 13.68 12.54 12.37 12.58 
			 QEP East and North Hertfordshire 8.96 8.86 8.37 8.48 
			 QAE East Kent 7.61 8.98 7.14 7.11 
			 QCX East Lancashire 8.20 8.18 8.00 8.69 
			 QAW East London and The City 12.43 11.20 10.92 12.11 
			 QCA East Norfolk 9.47 8.09 n/a n/a 
			 QDF East Riding 6.55 6.35 5.55 7.07 
			 QAK East Surrey 11.91 11.19 10.68 10.45 
			 QAM East Sussex, Brighton and Hove 9.47 8.25 7.83 8.64 
			 QA4 Enfield and Haringey 13.37 10.98 11.63 13.30 
			 QDG Gateshead and South Tyneside 10.74 10.69 10.36 9.93 
			 QDY Gloucestershire 7.39 7.83 8.19 8.77 
			 QED Herefordshire 6.99 6.88 7.14 5.53 
			 QA2 Hillingdon 7.32 6.45 5.65 8.70 
			 QD4 Isle Of Wight 7.89 7.33 7.52 7.97 
			 QA3 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster 16.60 16.04 14.67 12.49 
			 QAG Kingston and Richmond 10.20 8.82 11.82 11.53 
			 QAH Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham 17.54 17.09 16.82 18.38 
			 QDH Leeds 8.98 7.72 8.87 9.69 
			 QCL Leicestershire 9.32 9.86 9.89 10.17 
			 QCM Lincolnshire 7.43 5.54 7.52 6.98 
			 QC2 Liverpool 10.37 10.53 9.40 9.42 
			 QC3 Manchester 11.17 10.89 10.04 9.58 
			 QAJ Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth 11.25 11.16 10.27 11.27 
			 QC4 Morecambe Bay 11.25 9.10 7.65 6.63 
			 QDJ Newcastle and North Tyneside 8.55 8.14 7.49 8.41 
			 QET Norfolk n/a n/a 10.09 10.13 
			 QDX North and East Devon 8.01 7.88 8.42 8.32 
			 QD1 North and Mid Hampshire 8.29 8.66 9.25 8.83 
			 QCV North Cheshire 12.02 12.25 10.80 8.87 
			 QDK North Cumbria 8.83 9.54 8.82 9.95 
			 QCH North Derbyshire 7.95 7.79 8.27 5.68 
			 QAX North Essex 8.66 8.64 9.66 8.80 
			 QCN North Nottinghamshire 6.65 6.13 6.47 6.82 
			 QEH North Staffordshire 9.82 7.79 8.27 7.70 
			 QCD North West Anglia 9.02 8.92 n/a n/a 
			 QCY North West Lancashire 9.38 9.38 9.87 10.47 
			 QDR North Yorkshire 8.26 8.40 7.50 9.13 
			 QCC Northamptonshire 8.79 9.10 10.09 11.46 
			 QDM Northumberland 9.11 8.43 7.97 9.50 
			 QCP Nottingham 11.26 10.06 9.78 10.42 
			 QCE Oxfordshire 9.24 9.22 9.34 11.35 
			 QD2 Portsmouth and South East Hampshire 11.34 10.07 9.96 10.49 
			 QA5 Redbridge and Waltham Forest 12.08 11.96 11.66 10.51 
			 QCQ Rotherham 7.00 7.10 7.63 7.03 
			 QC6 Salford and Trafford 9.47 8.67 8.76 8.75 
			 QEE Sandwell 6.98 7.14 7.86 7.96 
			 QC7 Sefton 6.59 6.60 7.85 24.13 
			 QCR Sheffield 7.68 7.57 8.01 8.30 
			 QEF Shropshire 8.04 8.02 7.63 7.35 
			 QEG Solihull 5.71 5.09 7.87 7.74 
			 QD5 Somerset 8.40 8.63 8.63 8.40 
			 QD6 South and West Devon 7.30 8.66 9.10 8.91 
			 QCW South Cheshire 9.88 9.63 10.87 9.77 
			 QCJ South Derbyshire 7.82 8.05 9.82 10.54 
			 QAY South Essex 9.95 9.95 10.32 11.37 
			 QDL South Humber 5.21 5.41 6.10 6.39 
			 QC1 South Lancashire 5.56 6.67 7.23 7.22 
			 QEJ South Staffordshire 7.03 6.95 6.94 8.55 
			 QD3 Southampton and South West Hampshire 9.43 9.34 9.68 9.02 
			 QC5 St. Helens and Knowsley 8.29 8.89 8.32 8.52 
			 QC8 Stockport 7.21 7.31 6.71 7.40 
			 QCF Suffolk 10.08 9.74 9.47 10.75 
			 QDN Sunderland 10.64 9.64 9.62 9.12 
			 QDP Tees 8.15 7.93 7.28 11.58 
			 QDQ Wakefield 7.62 7.69 9.26 8.95 
			 QEK Walsall 7.03 6.56 7.09 7.57 
			 QEL Warwickshire 7.43 7.47 7.60 8.17 
			 QEQ West Hertfordshire 8.20 8.08 9.32 9.42 
			 QAF West Kent 7.99 8.31 8.10 8.43 
			 QC9 West Pennine 9.39 9.15 7.77 8.27 
			 QAL West Surrey 9.84 9.26 9.65 10.27 
			 QAN West Sussex 9.54 8.92 9.38 9.70 
			 QDA Wigan and Bolton 8.18 7.83 8.44 8.79 
			 QD7 Wiltshire 8.79 8.30 8.07 7.29 
			 QDC Wirral 5.77 5.85 6.10 6.95 
			 QEM Wolverhampton 6.52 7.10 7.95 8.22 
			 QEN Worcestershire 4.29 5.01 8.85 8.03 
		
	
	Source:
	1. Health authority annual accounts 1997–98 and 1998–99.
	Health authority audited summarisation forms 1999–2000 and 2000–01.
	Primary care trust audited summarisation schedules 2000–01.
	2. Cambridge and Huntingdon, East Norfolk and North West Anglia merged on 1 April 1999 to form Cambridgeshire and Norfolk health authorities.
	3. 2000–01 is the latest year for which figures are available.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients with learning disabilities have been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The information is not collected in the form requested.

Mental Health

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which health authorities have put out to tender the (a) arrangement and (b) provision of mental health services.

Jacqui Smith: Following 'Shifting the Balance of Power' primary care trusts will secure delivery of the majority of services, including mental health services, to meet their population needs. Their local health improvement plan will indicate the extent of that clinical need and services will be commissioned from a range of appropriate providers accordingly.

Maternity Services

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy is on the benefits of locating maternity services within general hospitals.

Yvette Cooper: The national health service provides care for women during pregnancy and childbirth in various types, sizes and locations of maternity units, including units within general hospitals or stand alone units. The Department expects this choice to continue. It is for local health authorities, Trusts and communities to decide on the pattern of service provision, taking into account the needs of local people, evidence of effectiveness and available resources.
	The Department has set up a maternity and neonatal workforce Group to make recommendations through the children's taskforce on workforce issues and various models for configuration of maternity services. This will feed into the children's national service framework to set national standards of care.

Diabetes

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government have taken to inform people of ways to avoid contracting diabetes.

Jacqui Smith: The risk factors for diabetes include poor diet, physical inactivity and obesity. We are taking forward a wide range of work across Government to reduce obesity, to increase physical activity and improve diet, especially among children. Prevention of diabetes is one of the key areas covered by the diabetes national service framework standards, published in December 2001. Local strategies on promoting healthy eating and physical activity, and reducing overweight and obesity, are also being developed as part of the implementation of the national service framework for coronary heart disease.

Diabetes

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money the Department has spent on research into diabetes since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has consistently supported research into diabetes but has not in the past collected information on its total expenditure in this field. The greater part of the funding has gone to the clinical service support costs of research funded by other agencies such as the Medical Research Council and Diabetes UK. The landmark "UK Prospective Diabetes Study", a randomised multi-centre trial in more than 5,000 patients over 20 years, has been supported in this way and continues. The Department has also funded the direct costs of research through its national and regional research and development programmes.
	A joint Department of Health/Medical Research Council research advisory committee on diabetes is currently reviewing this whole field of research, as part of the work to underpin the eventual implementation of the Diabetes National Service Framework.

Diabetes

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is provided to diabetics who are affected by (a) sudden and (b) gradual loss of vision.

Jacqui Smith: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence published a clinical guideline on the early management of and screening for diabetic retinopathy on 5 March, as part of its series on the management of Type II diabetes.

Diabetes

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical practitioners in the NHS are specialised in diabetic detection and treatment.

Jacqui Smith: As at 30 September 2001, there were 23,142 general practitioner unrestricted principals and equivalents in England offering diabetes chronic disease management (CDM).
	In addition as at 30 September 2001, there were 987 hospital medical staff working in endocrinology and diabetes mellitus in England, of which 428 were consultants.

Diabetes

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is made for the (a) early screening and (b) management of diabetes.

Jacqui Smith: Services for the screening and management of diabetes are provided in a variety of health care settings and are of varying quality. There is evidence to show that the onset of Type II diabetes can be delayed, or even prevented, that effective management of diabetes increases life expectancy and reduces the risk of complications, and that self-management is the cornerstone of effective diabetes care. This evidence underpins our development of a national service framework for diabetes, for which we published the standards in December 2001. They set out 12 standards covering the prevention, identification and management of diabetes and its complications. The delivery strategy for the framework will follow later this year.
	The diabetes national service framework provides the opportunity to clarify policy on screening for Type II diabetes, and we have requested advice from the UK National Screening Committee. The Committee has decided that further research, which may require some complex studies, is needed to inform its advice. It will report to the Department of Health in 2005.

Epilepsy

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is provided to carers of severe epileptic sufferers.

Jacqui Smith: The National Carers strategy is providing better support, information, and care for carers. Carers of people with epilepsy will benefit from the strategy, which includes: extending the Carers Grant to ensure that 75,000 carers will receive a break by 2004; improving social security provision to benefit 300,000 carers financially; providing information and guidance through the Carers UK help-line, Government and voluntary sector booklets and leaflets, carers centres and on-line services, and telephone conferencing to bring carers together to discuss their experiences and provide mutual support; and, allowing carers to access relevant services and support from general practitioners.

Epilepsy

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people he estimates suffer from epilepsy in the UK.

Jacqui Smith: Epilepsy is the commonest serious neurological disorder affecting around one in 130 of the UK population, or 380,000 people.
	Around seventy per cent. of people newly diagnosed with epilepsy are prescribed oral anti-epileptic drugs (anti-convulsants). It has been estimated that seventy per cent. of people taking anti-convulsants have their seizures prevented completely or greatly reduced.

Epilepsy

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government have done since 1997 (a) to raise awareness of epilepsy and (b) to reduce triggers of epilepsy in the environment.

Jacqui Smith: The Government has undertaken a range of co-ordinated initiatives to raise awareness of epilepsy. These include: supporting the Epilepsy Advisory Board to produce "Epilepsy Care—Making it Happen", a highly useful publication for improving epilepsy services; holding a NHS Epilepsy Day in October 1999; commending the Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG) report, Services for people who have epilepsy, to the NHS; providing Section 64 funding to the Joint Epilepsy Council (JEC) to undertake a project to draw upon the good practice advice in the CSAG report and other recent epilepsy initiatives; supporting the National Sentinel Audit into Epilepsy Related Deaths which is expected to be published in May 2002; and, publishing the Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) Annual Report 2001, On the State of the Public Health, which included information on epilepsy.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is producing a clinical guideline for epilepsy to help address widespread variations in clinical practice and contribute to the delivery of improvements in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of epilepsy. This will be supported by an appraisal of the clinical and cost effectiveness of new "add-on" drugs in children and adults, to help promote appropriate uptake and equitable access.
	People with epilepsy will also benefit from the emerging Expert Patients Programme, which aims to provide training in self-management skills for people with long term chronic conditions. The first pilot phase will begin shortly in selected primary care group and trust sites, one of which will focus activity on people with epilepsy.
	The CMO's Annual Report makes a commitment to putting in place an action plan which will cut the level of preventable deaths from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy three months after the National Sentinel Audit into Epilepsy Related Deaths is published in May 2002.
	These initiatives will contribute to raising awareness of epilepsy and specific trigger factors.

Epilepsy

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical practitioners in the NHS are specialised in epilepsy detection and treatment.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not collect information about the number of general medical practitioners in the NHS who are specialised in epilepsy detection and treatment.

Epilepsy

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money the Department has spent on research into epilepsy since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Department funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in health and social care. The Department's expenditure on completed and ongoing directly commissioned projects since May 1997 is about £1.5 million.
	In addition to specific projects, the Department also provides support for research commissioned by charities and the research councils that takes place in the national health service . Management of much of the research supported by NHS research and development funding is devolved and expenditure at project level is not held centrally by the Department. The total investment is therefore considerably greater than just the spend on directly commissioned projects.
	The main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. In 2000–01 the MRC spent £3 million on epilepsy research.

Contraception

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the price of emergency contraception upon the extent of its use; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Direct sale of emergency contraception in pharmacies has provided a welcome additional point of access to emergency contraception. Data are not collected on over the counter pharmacy sales of emergency contraception. Supply of a pharmacy medicine outside national health service arrangements is a private transaction and payment is therefore required. The cost is entirely a matter for the product licence holder and community pharmacies.
	We do however recognise that the cost of this product may be a barrier for some women and that emergency contraception must continue to be widely available under NHS arrangements. Emergency contraception continues to be available free of charge, on prescription, from general practitioners, contraceptive clinics, youth clinics, and walk-in centres. In addition pharmacists in some areas are supplying emergency contraception free of charge under a patient group direction. We welcome the introduction of these schemes and have recently provided funding to 14 areas to enable further pharmacy schemes to be developed.

Chinese Language Services

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services the NHS provides to meet the language needs of the Chinese community in Barnet.

John Hutton: The NHS Plan signals that a key part of modernising the NHS and Personal Social Services is the need to be more responsive to black and minority ethnic groups, and to provide services for each individual which take account of their religious, cultural and linguistic requirements.
	Barnet primary care trust (PCT) is already beginning to address the health needs of its diverse local communities. The PCT have established an Inequalities Group which meet frequently and feed into the health improvement programme.
	Interpreting services for people attending general practitioners surgeries in Barnet, including the Chinese community, are managed and provided through the Linkworker service at Barnet and Chase Farm hospitals. All GP surgeries are aware of the arrangements for accessing these services and posters and circulars are provided for communications purposes. Interpreting services for clinics and health centres in Barnet are managed and provided through the PCT. The manager for these services is based at Edgware community hospital.

Dental Services (Wiltshire)

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the cost is of the mobile dental clinic at Highworth; and how many patients used it per day on average in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what the annual cost is of the Dental Access Centre in Swindon; and how many patients have been treated in the Centre since its opening; and how many on average per day;

Hazel Blears: In 2001–02 revenue costs of £1,233,000 were allocated to the Swindon Dental Access Centre by the Department of Health.
	8,424 patients were seen in the Swindon Dental Access Centre between April 2000 and February 2002. Local management information is that in January 2002 the Centre saw an average of 41.2 patients a day across the three sites. The Centre provides a seven-day service.
	It is not possible from the information collected centrally to identify cost and activity information for the individual sites within the Dental Access Centre. For more detailed information on cost and activity the hon. Member should contact the Chair of Wiltshire health authority.

Dental Services (Wiltshire)

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration he has given to opening a dental access centre in North Wiltshire.

Hazel Blears: Approval has been granted for the expansion of the Swindon Dental Access Centre to cover Chippenham. Planning permission has been granted for the development of a clinic and building work is expected to commence in April. The clinic is due to open in December 2002.

NHS Targets

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he expects to meet each of the targets originally set out in (a) National Service Frameworks and (b) the NHS Plan.

John Hutton: We remain confident that the national health service is on course to deliver NHS Plan and NSF commitments. Progress against these commitments is reported annually by the Department in the departmental report.

NHS Finance

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) assets and (b) liabilities will be transferred to strategic health authorities; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Subject to legislation enabling strategic health authorities to be established, assets and liabilities appropriate to their role will be transferred to them.
	Most assets and liabilities which currently rest with health authorities are expected to transfer to primary care trusts along with the health commissioning functions.

NHS Finance

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what accumulated NHS deficits there are within each health authority area;
	(2)  what (a) current and (b) accumulated deficits there are in health authorities.

John Hutton: The introduction of resource accounting and budgeting across all Government Departments from 2001–02 means that health authorities are no longer required to account on an income and expenditure basis. The concept of accumulated income and expenditure deficits is, therefore, no longer applicable, having been replaced by a measure which seeks to ensure that health authorities live within the approved resource limits set by the Department.
	By the year end, we expect all health authorities to live within their agreed resource limits and not to overspend.

Surrey Health Trusts

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what was (a) the original budgeted expenditure and (b) the actual expenditure of West Surrey health authority in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what the debt is of West Surrey health authority; and to which bodies it will be allocated when the authority is abolished;
	(3)  if he will list the land and buildings identified to his Department as the source of funds to pay off the debt of West Surrey health authority.

Hazel Blears: West Surrey health authority's original budget and expenditure is as follows:
	
		£ million 
		
			  Original planned expenditure Final budget Expenditure 
		
		
			 1997–98 330.2 369.8 374.3 
			 1998–99 341.6 390.1 389.1 
			 1999–2000 381.4 465.0 460.2 
			 2000–01 411.4 478.6 477.8 
			 2001–02 486.5 520.2 519.9 
		
	
	Notes:
	Final budget and expenditure figures as per accounts.
	The successor body to West Surrey health authority is the new Surrey and Sussex strategic health authority. It is responsible for the transfer of the balance sheet position, as at 31 March 2002, to the NHS organisations, which assume West Surrey health authority's functions from 1 April 2002. The exact transfer of specific assets and liabilities will be determined by the accounting process that is planned to be completed by 16 May 2002. The new health authority and local primary care trusts will be allocated the main proportion of West Surrey's balance sheet. The funding requirement for these successor organisations into 2002–03 will be concluded upon the closure of its accounts.
	Land and properties that could be sold within the West Surrey health economy as follows:
	(1) Currently owned by Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS trust:
	Ridgewood site.
	(2) Properties to be developed to Guildford and Waverley primary care trust:
	Farnham hospital—surplus land;
	Farnham health centre;
	Cranleigh hospital and health centre.
	(3) Currently owned by Bournewood community and mental health trust:
	Property at rear of Ashford hospital (West Byfleet health centre);
	Central site at St. Peter's campus.
	Total sale proceeds from all these properties would be in the region of £16 million to £17.5 million of which £5 million–£7 million would be expected in 2002–03.

Surrey Health Trusts

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was (a) the original budgeted expenditure and (b) the actual expenditure of the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is shown in the table. Figures for 2001–02 are not yet available.
	
		£ million 
		
			 Ashford & St. Peters Original budget Turnover Expenditure 
		
		
			 1997–98 87.7 89.1 91.2 
			 1998–99 91.3 96.9 96.8 
			 1999–2000 98.7 108.9 110.5 
			 2000–01 106.1 111.2 116.0 
			 2001–02 121.0 123.7 125.7 
		
	
	Notes
	1. The Ashford and St. Peters NHS Trust was created 1 April 1998 from the merger of the St. Peters Hospital Trust and the Ashford Hospital Trust. The figures for 1997–1998 are the sum of the figures for the two Trusts.
	2. The original budget differs from the actual turnover of the Trust due to in year contract adjustments.

Surrey Health Trusts

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the new Chairman of the Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Trust was appointed; and who was informed.

Hazel Blears: Mr. Clive Thompson was appointed to chair the Ashford and St. Peter's National Health Service Trust on 11 March. The appointment was announced by press release on 14 March. A further letter was sent by the trust to all local hon. Members on 20 March informing them of the appointment.

Surrey Health Trusts

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) directly employed nurses and (b) agency nurses were employed by the Ashford and St. Peters Hospital NHS Trust on 1 January (i) 1999, (ii) 2000, (iii) 2001 and (iv) 2002; and how much the use of agency nurses added to the expenditure of the Trust in each of the last three years.

Hazel Blears: Information on the number of agency nurses employed by the Trust and the cost incurred are not collected centrally. The number of nurses employed by Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust in the years 1999 to 2001 are given below. Figures for 2002 are not yet available.
	
		NHS Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS): Nursing, midwifery andhealth visiting staff employed by Ashford and St. Peters Hospitals NHS Trust as at 30 September each year -- whole-time equivalents
		
			  1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 All nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 980 1,030 1,020 
			 of which:
			 Qualified 810 830 780 
			 Unqualified  200 250 
			 All nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 1,290 1,350 1,340 
			 Of which:
			 Qualified 1,080 1,090 1,030 
			 Unqualified 210 260 310 
		
	
	Notes:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts Figures exclude learners and agency staff
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

Human Rights Act Compliance

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 2002, Official Report, column 46W, on Human Rights Act 1998 compliance in hospitals, how many complaints made on human rights grounds have been made by detained patients through the NHS complaints procedures.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not held centrally.

NHS Service Reviews

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of services have been reviewed in line with Government policy in the handbook "Better Quality Services" since September 1999.

Hazel Blears: The Department has reviewed approximately 25 per cent. of its services and activities since September 1999 in line with Government policy in the handbook "Better Quality Services" (BQS).
	However, since March 2001 specific BQS activity has been overtaken by a fundamental review of the Department, which covered all its services and activities.
	This has been carried out in the spirit of BQS in line with Government policy and has generated a programme of change that focuses on our delivery contract and aims to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Correspondence

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was, for each year since 1995, the average response time for providing a substantive answer to (a) hon. Members' correspondence, (b) correspondence from members of the public and (c) written parliamentary questions in the (i) Commons and (ii) Lords.

Hazel Blears: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Percentage of replies sent  
			   to MPs within service first targets of 20 day members of the public within service first targets of 20 days 
		
		
			 1995 79  
			 1996 87  
			 1997 76 4 
			 1998 61 63 
			 1999 47 56 
			 2000 50 80.5 
			 2001 60 87.5 
		
	
	I regret that comparable data about parliamentary questions is not readily available in the form requested because the record management database from which it is drawn is currently not reliable, for the reasons set out in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.

Delayed Discharge (Barrow and Furness)

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many delayed discharge patients there are in the Barrow and Furness constituency waiting to leave hospital.

Jacqui Smith: On 17 March 2002, there were 52 delayed transfers of care recorded at Furness general hospital in Barrow. Of these, 32 awaited placement in a nursing or residential home; seven were awaiting completion of assessment; six were waiting for NHS non-acute care; five were there for reasons of patient choice and two for other reasons.
	The number of delayed transfers of care in Cumbria is being reduced with the additional funds allocated to Cumbria county council as part of "Building Capacity" and the implementation of the report of the Change Agents, which was commissioned by the Department of Health. This improvement is expected to continue through 2002–03.

Personal Care

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates his Department has made of the total cost of making the provision of personal care for retired people free.

Jacqui Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave my hon. Friend for Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 7 March 2002, Official Report, column 542W. In making estimates, we have assumed that only a small proportion of self-funders in residential care are of working age, so that the vast majority of the costs relate to older people.